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IN  GERMANY 


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THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR 


IN  GERMANY 


THE    CARE    AND    TREATMENT    OF    THE   PRISONER 
OF  WAR  WITH  A  HISTORY  OF  THE  DEVELOP- 
MENT OF  THE  PRINCIPLE  OF  NEUTRAL 
INSPECTION  AND    CONTROL 


BY 

daniel  j.  McCarthy,  a.b.,  m.d. 

Professor  of  Medical  Jurisprudence,  University 
of  Pennyslvania 


NEW  YORK 

MOFFAT,  YARD  AND  COMPANY 

1918 


Copyright,  1917,  by 
MOFFAT,  YARD  AND  COMPANY 


Published  November,  1917 


PREFACE 

From  the  outbreak  of  the  present  war  to  the 
breaking  of  diplomatic  relations,  a  period  covering 
two  and  a  half  years,  our  State  Department  elab- 
orated and  carried  out  an  important  piece  of 
Work  which  received  scant  notice  in  the  public 
prints.  To  our  various  embassies  were  delegated 
the  care  of  the  prisoners  of  war  in  Russia,  Ger- 
many, Austria,  France  and  Great  Britain.  When, 
therefore,  the  Department  gave  "leave  to  print" 
matters  in  relation  to  this  work,  I  felt  it  a  duty  to 
present  the  problem  in  Germany,  and  its  solution, 
in  book  form. 

This  report  is  based  upon  a  personal  experience 
of  several  months'  intimate  contact,  in  an  official 
position,  with  the  problem  involved.  It  might  be 
said  that  it  is,  in  simple  language,  a  report  of  a 
survey  of  the  Prisoner  of  "War  situation  in  Ger- 
many for  the  year  1916. 

The  subject  matter  is  based  partly  upon  my 
own  notes,  from  which  later  official  reports  were 
drawn  up,  partly  upon  official  reports  published 
in  the  Parliamentary  "White  papers,  and  to  a  cer- 
tain extent  upon  confidential  letters  accompanying 
reports  and  explanatory  of  them  (not  published). 
Reports  exist  in  corroboration  of  all  incidents  and 


PEEFACE 

* 

material  presented,  unless  otherwise  stated  in  the 
text. 

Statements  made  by  prisoners,  when  not  denied 
or  contraverted  by  the  German  authorities,  are 
here  presented,  as  stated.  I  have  received  the 
reports  made  by  the  other  attaches  of  the  embassy 
at  one  time  or  other  assigned  to  this  work,  i.e., 
Messrs.  Jackson,  Osborne,  Dresel,  Ohnesorg,  Rus- 
sell, Webster,  Taylor. 

I  have,  however,  used  none  of  the  material  of 
their  reports.  To  Dr.  Karl  Ohnesorg  I  am  in- 
debted for  assistance  in  a  personal  way,  in  the 
use  of  his  notes  and  translations  of  some  of  the 
matter  in  the  Appendix,  and  without  his  aid  and 
assistance  this  survey  would  not  have  been  made 
nor  this  report  submitted.  I  am  equally  indebted 
to  Dr.  A.  E.  Taylor  for  moral  support. 

To  write  anything  on  the  Prisoner  of  War  situa- 
tion in  Germany  without  giving  credit,  in  the 
eventual  analysis,  for  the  ideas  and  ideals  under- 
lying the  principles  of  treatment  of  the  problem 
to  our  ambassador  to  Germany,  Mr.  J.  W.  Gerard, 
would  be  falling  far  short  of  just  appreciation. 
His  fine  sense  of  justice  and  fair  dealing,  his 
keen,  almost  automatic  analysis  of  complicated 
situations,  his  open  indignation  of  anything  that 
savored  of  unjust  or  inhumane  treatment,  made 
him  the  ideal  custodian  of  the  rights  of  the  Pris- 
oner of  War.  The  German  officials  were  some- 
what afraid  of  him  because  "they  did  not  under- 
stand him,"  and  they  did  not  understand  him  for 


PREFACE 

the  simple  reason  that  he  was  not  the  usual  type 
of  diplomat.  A  master  at  differentiating  facts 
from  half  facts  and  theory,  with  his  case  complete, 
he  acted  directly  and  without  circumlocution  or 
useless  verbiage,  demanding  rather  than  request- 
ing a  correction  of  evils  in  reference  to  the 
Prisoner  of  War  situation.  He  often  went  direct 
to  the  camps  himself  to  obtain  at  first  hand  in- 
formation with  which  to  complete  his  case.  In 
the  game  of  delay  and  procrastination  they  found 
in  him  a  queer  type  of  ambassador  who  was  not 
willing  to  be  content  with  a  protest  but  at  unex- 
pected moments,  until  he  secured  results,  restating 
his  case  and  even  after  months  of  delay  demand- 
ing redress.  He  stood,  and  always,  at  a  hostile 
court  an  example  of  the  best  type  of  patriotic 
American,  stood  indeed  for  what  this  exemplifies 
— fair  play  and  decent  treatment  for  the  helpless 
and  oppressed.  Without  his  support  the  efforts 
of  the  inspection  of  the  Embassy  for  the  Prisoner 
of  War  would  have  been  futile  and  barren  of  re- 
sults, and  the  principles  of  neutral  control  would 
not  have  been  developed  to  a  principle  of  inter- 
national usage. 

I  am  indebted  for  much  valuable  aid  in  the  prep- 
aration of  material,  analysis  of  reports,  etc.,  to 
my  secretary,  Miss  Julia  Guillou. 


CONTENTS 

CHAPTER  PAGE 

I    The  Problem  of  the  Prisoner  of  War    .       1 

II    The  Army  Corps  and  Their  Prison  Prob- 
lem   12 

III  The  Military  Organization  of  the  Pris- 

oner of  War  .  21 

IV  Technique  of  Inspection 31' 

V    The  Parent  Camp 45 

VI  The  Camp  at  Friedrichsfeld    ....     63 

VII  The  Camp  at  Minden 76 

VIII  Wittenberg  and  Other  Plague  Camps    .  105 

IX  Political   Camps 121 

X  Working  Camps 136 

XI    The  Problem  Involved  in  the  Inspection 

of  Working  Camps  . 169 

XII    Camps  for  Officers 191 

XIII  Camps  for  Civilians  Interned  ....  205 

XIV  International    Law    as    Applied    to    the 

Prisoner  of  War 227 

XV    The  Internment  of  Prisoners  of  War  in 

Switzerland 252 

XVI    Conclusions 263 

Appendices 271 

A.  Housing  and  Feeding  of  Prisoners     .  271 

B.  The  Officer  Prisoner  at  Burg  .     .     .275 
C    Regulations  at  Salzwedel     ....  281 


CONTENTS 

PAGE 

D.  Regulations   at  Darmstadt      .     .     .  296 

E.  Fire  Drill  at  Darmstadt     .....  303 

F.  Order  of  the  Fire  Watch     .     .     .     .306 

G.  Regulations  of  Barracks     ....  309 

H.    Hospital  Regulations 312 

I.    Internment  of  Sick  and  Wounded  in 

Switzerland 316 

J.    List  of  Diseases 322 

K.    Regulations   Concerning  Administra- 
tion        324 

L.     Orders    for   the    Guard    of   Working 

Camps 332 

M.    Report  of  Major  C.  B.  V.       ...  339 


THE  ILLUSTRATIONS 

Mahometans  in  the  camp  at  Zossen     .      .     Frontispiece 

FACING 
PAGE 

English  prisoners 4 

The  littlest  soldier  prisoner 16 

Fumigating  the  clothes  of  prisoners 32 

Camp  laundry 40 

Map  showing  location  of  German  prison  camps  .      .  45 

A  picture  that  tells  its  own  story 50 

The  guard  with  bayonet  is  always  there  ....  50 

"Camouflage"   at  Friedrichsfeld 64 

Censuring  the  mail  at  Friedrichsfeld       .      .      .      .72 

An  interesting  pair  of  Serbian  prisoners       ...  88 

A  group  of  negro  prisoners 100 

Camp  for  Irish  prisoners  at  Limburg      ....  122 

A  working  camp 138 

Internment  camp  at  Holzminden 138 

Censuring  food  packages  in  the  camp  at  Doeberitz  154 

Prisoners  employed  at  shoemaking 176 

English  concentration  camp  at  Ruhleben  .      .      .  206 

"When  will  the  war  end?" 222 

Men,  women  and  children  in  a  hostile  land   .     .      .  222 


f 


THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR 
IN  GERMANY 

CHAPTER  I 

THE  PEOBLEM   OF  THE  PRISONER  OP  WAR 

IN  the  general  romance  woven  by  the  popular 
imagination  around  the  subject  of  war,  there 
is  no  more  pathetic  and  appealing  figure  than  that 
of  the  prisoner  in  the  hands  of  the  enemy.  In 
order  to  stimulate  the  patriotism  of  the  people, 
to  create  the  proper  atmosphere  towards  the 
enemy  it  is  considered  essential  to  attribute  to 
him  the  faults  of  heartless  cruelty,  a  lack  of  all 
humane  principles,  and  to  lay  at  his  door  the  im- 
possible of  all  crimes,  including  rape,  massacre 
and  murder.  One  of  the  most  eminent  men  in  Ger- 
many made  the  statement  that  * '  all  of  the  nations 
at  war  have  gone  crazy  and  of  all  of  them  un- 
questionably we  (the  Germans)  are  the  craziest." 
It  is  certainly  true  that  a  nation  at  war  loses  that 
fine  balance  of  judgement  that  the  same  nation  in 
peace  might  ordinarily  have.  That  a  nation  at 
war  may  present  all  the  manifestations  of  hysteria 

in  its  conduct  and  mode  of  thinking  has  almost 

i 


2       THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

been  the  rule  of  the  nations  involved  in  the  pres- 
ent war.  That  peculiar  quality  of  the  hysteric, 
the  hypersensitiveness  to  suggestion,  is  a  predom- 
inating quality.  The  whole  nation  is  willing  to 
believe  anything  in  the  public  prints  and  the  public 
prints  are  willing  to  present  to  its  readers  any- 
thing that  is  presented  to  them,  it  matters  little 
how  absurd  or  incredible  the  matter  may  be. 
Tales  of  the  heartless  and  ruthless  murder  of  the 
wounded  prisoner,  of  deliberate  starvation,  the 
lack  of  care,  etc.,  early  found  their  way  into  the 
newspapers  of  all  the  nations  at  war.  While 
these  tales  produced  a  very  definite  sentiment 
against  the  enemy  they  at  the  same  time  created 
a  decided  feeling  of  worry  on  the  part  of  that 
portion  of  the  population  whose  relatives  were  in- 
cluded as  prisoners  of  war  in  the  hands  of  the 
enemy. 

A  soldier  who  had  been  killed  in  action  was 
mourned  as  a  sacrifice  on  the  altar  of  patriotism. 
Time,  the  great  healer  of  such  sorrow,  eventually 
led  the  relatives  from  a  condition  of  mourning  to 
one  of  pride  in  their  offering.  The  prisoner  of 
war,  on  the  other  hand,  while  in  the  hands  of  the 
heartless  and  brutal  enemy  remained  for  months 
and  even  years  a  matter  of  continuing  solicitude 
and  worry  on  the  part  of  all  the  relatives  and  an 
increasing  rather  than  decreasing  circle  of 
friends.  The  effect  the  published  tales  of  bru- 
tality on  such  a  large  part  of  the  population  in- 
terested in  the  prisoner  of  war  sooner  or  later 


PROBLEM  OF  THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR       3 

would  lead  to  a  demand  to  the  Government  that  the 
condition  of  the  prisoner  should  be  ameliorated. 
One  need  only  glance  at  the  diplomatic  corres- 
pondence between  the  British  Foreign  Office  and 
the  American  Embassy  during  the  first  six  months 
of  the  war  to  realize  the  very  grave  concern  of 
the  British  Government  concerning  the  care,  treat- 
ment and  fate  of  the  British  soldier,  a  prisoner  in 
Germany.  Urgent  demands  from  the  American 
Ambassador  in  Berlin  in  the  early  months  of  the 
war  for  clothing  for  both  officers  and  men,  with 
reports  from  prisoners  who  had  escaped  to  Eng- 
land and  Russia  of  harsh  and  brutal  treatment 
both  in  the  transport  to  the  prison  camps  and 
within  the  camps,  led  his  Majesty's  Government 
to  make  protests  to  the  American  Embassy.  This 
was  followed  later  by  an  attempt  to  arrange  some 
definite  sort  of  inspection.  On  account  of  lack  of 
food  in  some  of  the  prison  camps  the  German 
Government  had  agreed  to  accept  food  packages 
for  the  prisoners.  At  the  suggestion  of  Mr. 
Chandler  Anderson  a  request  was  made  that  cer- 
tain officers  of  the  Quartermaster's  Department  of 
the  United  States  of  America  be  assigned  to  the 
Embassy  at  Berlin  to  control  the  distribution  of 
food  and  clothing;  nothing',  however,  came  of 
this.  From  December  26,  when  this  suggestion 
was  first  made,  to  March  17,  when  the  German 
Government  accepted  the  idea  of  inspection,  this 
matter  was  the  subject  of  repeated  and  urgent 
communications  on  the  part  of  the  British  Foreign 


£       THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

Office,  the  American  Embassy  at  London,  at  Ber- 
lin, and  our  own  State  Department.  The  Ger- 
man Government  did  not  appear  to  take  very 
much  interest  in  the  matter  but  was  eventually 
forced  to  the  general  idea. 

As  a  counter  proposition  to  the  British  sugges- 
tion, the  Berlin  Government,  through  the  Ameri- 
can Embassy,  requested  that  an  inspection  of  the 
German  civilians  and  soldiers  who  were  interned 
in  Great  Britain  should  be  made  by  an  attache  of 
the  American  Embassy  in  Berlin.  x 

A  general  permit  to  "visit  the  places  of  intern- 
ment of  prisoners  of  war  in  the  United  Kingdom " 
was  given  to  the  American  Embassy  on  January 
27,  1915.  Every  facility  was  offered  for  a  com- 
plete inspection  of  all  the  camps  in  the  United 
Kingdom.    A  comprehensive  report  was  filed  at 

iThe  American  ambassador  asked  me  to-day  whether  the 
American  Embassy  would  be  allowed,  as  reports  were  being  made 
in  Germany  about  the  treatment  of  German  civilians  in  England, 
to  send  some  one  to  visit  the  Germans  interned  in  Newbury  and 
Newcastle. 

The  ambassador  also  said  that  he  had  received  specific  com- 
plaints from  Germans  interned  in  Queensferry. 

He  has  given  me  the  following  copy  of  a  letter  from  the  Ameri- 
can ambassador  in  Berlin. 

The  object  of  the  Ambassador's  enquiry  is  simply,  by  bringing 
out  the  facts,  to  prevent  false  statements  from  doing  harm  in 
Germany,  and  at  the  same  time,  I  assume,  to  contribute  to  the 
remedying  of  any  grievances  that  may  exist. 

The  American  Ambassador  in  Berlin  is,  I  know,  doing  all  in 
his  power  to  secure  good  treatment  for  British  subjects  in  Ger- 
many and  I  think  that  it  would  be  desirable  to  let  the  American 
Embassy  here  have  full  information  as  to  our  treatment  of  Ger- 
mans. 

I  have,  etc., 

Foreign  Office,  November  13,  1914.  K  GBEr' 


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PROBLEM  OF  THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR       5 

the  Embassy  in  Berlin  on  February  27,  1915,  and 
transmitted  to  the  German  Government. 

In  the  meantime  the  German  public  became  very 
much  concerned  over  the  internment  of  German 
civilians  in  England  and  Ireland.1 

While  reprisal  action  was  immediately  taken 
in  Germany  the  force  of  public  opinion  and  the 
very  large  numbers  of  German  civilians  involved, 
unquestionably  influenced  the  German  Govern- 
ment to  accept  the  British  proposition  for  a  recip- 

i  MR.  GERARD  TO  MR.  PAGE 

American  Embassy,  Berlin,  November  8,  1914. 
Sir: 

Although  it  may  already  be  too  late  to  be  of  much  practical 
effect,  I  feel  it  my  duty,  in  the  interest  of  humanity,  to  urge 
you  to  obtain  some  formal  declaration  on  the  part  of  the  British 
Government  as  to  its  purpose  in  ordering  the  wholesale  concentra- 
tion of  Germans  in  Great  Britain  and  Ireland,  as  is  understood 
here  to  be  the  case.  It  is  known  here  that  many  of  the  Ger- 
mans interned  belong  to  the  laboring  classes,  and  that  their  posi- 
tion is  actually  improved  by  their  internment,  and  it  is  recog- 
nised that  the  British  Government  has  the  right  to  arrest  per- 
sons when  any  wellfounded  ground  for  suspecting  them  to  be  spies 
exists.  Great  popular  resentment  has  been  created  by  the  reports 
of  the  arrest  of  other  Germans,  however,  and  the  German  authori- 
ties cannot  explain  or  understand  why  German  travellers  who 
have  been  taken  from  ocean  steamers  should  not  be  permitted  to 
remain  at  liberty,  of  course  under  police  control,  even  if  they  are 
compelled  to  stay  in  England.  The  order  for  the  general  concen- 
tration of  British  males  between  the  ages  of  17  and  55,  which 
went  into  effect  on  the  6th  instant,  was  occasioned  by  the  pressure 
of  public  opinion,  which  has  been  still  further  excited  by  the 
newspaper  reports  of  a  considerable  number  of  deaths  in  the  con- 
centration camps.  Up  to  the  6th  considerable  liberty  of  move- 
ment had  been  allowed  to  British  subjects  in  Germany,  and,  as 
you  were  informed  in  my  telegram  of  the  5th,  many  petitions 
were  received  from  them  setting  forth  the  favorable  conditions 
under  which  they  were  permitted  to  live  and  to  carry  on  their 
business,  and  urging  the  similar  treatment  of  German  subjects  in 


6      THE  PRISONER  OF  .WAR  IN  GERMANY 

rocal  inspection.  As  far  as  the  prisoners  of 
war  were  concerned  the  British  Government  had 
already  permitted  Mr.  Lowry,  an  attache  of  the 
American  Embassy  at  London  to  keep  in  close 
touch  with  all  the  British  prison  camps.  He  was 
permitted  freely  to  visit  and  inspect  them.  Noth- 
ing was  therefore  to  be  gained  from  the  German 
standpoint.  The  possibility  of  the  withdrawal 
of  this  privilege,  however,  and  the  force  of  public 
opinion  in  Germany  led  to  an  eventual  agreement. 

This  agreement  was  as  follows:  " Principles 
for  securing  information  concerning  the  condition 
of  prisoners  in  belligerent  countries : — 

"1.  The  belligerents  undertake  to  transmit  to 
those  countries  whose  subjects  are  held  by  them 
as  prisoners  of  war,  whether  combatant  or  non- 
combatant,  a  compilation  of  the  provisions  which 
they  have  adopted  for  the  treatment  of  prisoners 
to  include  those  relating  to  lodging,  clothing,  and 
food,  as  well  as  correspondence  and  the  forward- 
ing of  money  and  presents  in  kind.  In  case  any 
supplementary  regulations  have  been  issued  in 
single  detention  camps,  such  regulations  shall  be 
made  known  to  the  diplomatic  or  consular  repre- 

England.  I  cannot  but  feel  that  to  a  great  extent  the  English 
action  and  the  German  retaliation  has  been  caused  by  a  misunder- 
standing which  we  should  do  our  best  to  remove.  It  seems  to  me 
that  we  should  do  all  in  our  power  to  prevent  an  increase  of  the 
bitterness  which  seems  to  have  arisen  between  the  German  and 
English  peoples,  and  to  make  it  possible  for  the  two  countries 
to  become  friends  on  the  close  of  the  war. 

I  have,  etc., 

James  W.  Gebaed. 


PROBLEM  OF  THE  PRISONER  OF  ;WAR       7 

sentatives  who  have  charge  of  the  protection  of 
the  prisoners  when  they  inspect  such  camps. 

"2.  General  permission  to  inspect  the  deten- 
tion camps  shall  be  given  to  the  chiefs  of  the  diplo- 
matic missions  who  have  charge  of  the  protection 
of  the  prisoners,  as  well  as  to  the  diplomatic  or 
consular  officers  of  their  country  who  may  be  des- 
ignated by  them.  They  shall  announce  visits  to 
the  commanders  of  the  camp  to  hear  their  wishes 
and  complaints.  The  conversations  shall  not, 
however,  embrace  other  subjects  than  such  wishes 
and  complaints,  except  with  the  express  permis- 
sion of  the  commander  of  the  camp.  Before  leav- 
ing the  camp,  the  diplomatic  or  consular  repre- 
sentative will  notify  the  commander  of  any  wishes 
and  complaints,  and  will  not  submit  to  the  supe- 
rior authorities  of  the  commander  unless  the  com- 
mander declares  himself  unable  or  unwilling  to 
consider  the  wishes  or  to  remedy  conditions  form- 
ing the  subject  of  complaint." 

In  accord  with  this  agreement  permission  was 
granted  to  certain  members  of  the  Embassy  Staff 
to  visit  all  places  of  internment  provided  that  no- 
tice of  the  expected  visit  should  be  given  in  ad- 
vance to  the  commandant  of  the  camp.  This  latter 
provision  was  not  altogether  acceptable  to  the 
British  Government  and  was  eventually  modified 
so  as  to  permit  the  inspection  without  previous  no- 
tice. It  will  be  seen  later  that  while  the  idea  that 
prompted  this  protest  was  that  preparation  for 
the  inspection  might  be  made  it  was  afterwards 


8      THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

clearly  proven  that  such  notice  did  not  militate 
against  proper  and  complete  inspection. 

The  permission  granted  in  form  is  as  follows : 

AUTHORIZATION  PERMISSION 
Dr.  D.  J.  McCarthy 

"Is  hereby  permitted  to  visit  without  previous 
notice,  all  prison  camps  and  hospitals  in  which 
English  and  Servian  prisoners  of  war  and  civil- 
ians are  interned.  Working  camps  and  prisons 
can  likewise  be  visable  after  application  to  the 
Representative  of  the  Army  Corps  without  pre- 
vious notice.  The  local  authorities  are  requested 
to  afford  the  above  named  protection  and  assist- 
ance. 

"According  to  the  official  regulation  for  the  in- 
spection of  the  camp  the  holder  of  this  permit  is 
allowed  to  converse  with  the  prisoners  alone  out 
of  hearing  of  the  camp  authorities.  Conversa- 
tions with  such  prisoners  of  war  who  are  under- 
going punishment  can  be  held  only  in  the  presence 
of  a  near  witness.  Dr.  D.  J.  McCarthy  will  before 
the  beginning  of  the  inspection  present  himself 
personally  with  this  permission  to  the  command- 
ant of  the  camp  or  his  representative,  in  hospitals 
to  the  chef  or  surgeon  in  charge,  in  prisons  and 
working  camps  to  the  officers  in  charge.  This 
permission  is  not  valid  for  the  camps,  etc.,  in  dis- 
tricts under  the  Bavarian,  Saxon  or  "Wurtemberg 
ministries  of  war. 


PROBLEM  OF  THE  PRISONER  OF  !WAR       9 

"He  is  requested  to  return  this  document  to  the 
Prussian  Ministry  of  War,  when  the  purpose  for 
which  it  has  been  issued  has  been  completed. 

"It  will  be  here  noted  that  four  separate  permits 
were  issued  by  the  Ministries  of  War  respectively 
of  Prussia,  Bavaria,  Saxony  and  Wurtemberg. 
It  was  understood  politics  would  not  be  discusssed 
and  the  inspection  of  the  Embassy  agreed  not  to 
discuss  the  war  or  subjects  foreign  to  the  matters 
directly  concerned  with  the  detail  of  inspection." 

Like  privileges  were  granted  to  the  American 
Embassy  in  London  for  an  inspection  and  control 
of  camps  for  the  internment  of  German  soldiers 
and  civilians  in  Great  Britain.  A  similar  agree- 
ment was  entered  into  between  the  Central  Pow- 
ers in  France  under  control  of  the  Spanish  Em- 
bassy. An  understanding  rather  than  an  agree- 
ment existed,  that  the  Spanish  Embassy  should 
do  the  same  for  Kussian  prisoners  of  war.  This 
was  assumed  on  account  of  the  fact  that  the  Span- 
ish Government  represented  the  Eussian  interests 
in  Germany. 

The  Ambassador  at  Berlin  immediately  assigned 
several  attaches  of  the  Embassy  to  this  work  and 
requested  some  of  the  American  consular  agents 
to  visit  camps  near  their  respective  consulates. 

It  is  rather  interesting  to  note  that  from  the 
simple  permission  in  Section  2  to  visit  army 
camps  in  order  to  listen  to  complaints,  that  there 


10     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

grew  out  of  this  by  degrees  a  full  and  complete 
military  inspection,  embracing  not  only  a  careful 
survey  of  all  the  physical  conditions  within  the 
camp  but  a  detailed  inspection  of  the  prisoners 
themselves ;  a  review  of  sanitary  conditions,  diplo- 
matic matters  in  reference  to  the  exchange  of 
wounded  men,  correction  of  hospital  abuses  and 
review  of  judicial  matters  in  reference  to  court 
martials,  etc.  Once  the  principle  of  inspection 
was  established  surely  the  very  military  German 
commandant  could  not  very  well  object  to  a  mili- 
tary inspection.  A  military  inspection  included 
all  of  the  above. 

When  one  glances  over  the  early  reports  of 
camp  inspection  they  appear  fragmentary  and  in- 
complete ;  this  is  largely  due,  however,  to  the  dif- 
ficulties above  mentioned  and  to  the  fact  that  the 
general  idea  had  to  be  slowly  developed  against 
resistance  and  ofttimes  refusal  to  make  the  in- 
spection complete.  To  develop  and  establish  a 
principle  of  inspection  to  bring  it  up  to  its  present 
status  of  scientific  completeness,  is  I  take  it,  a 
definite  achievement ;  a  precedent  for  use  in  future 
wars,  if  unhappily  there  should  be  such.  It  will 
indeed  relieve  much  suffering.  I  have  no  doubt 
that  in  the  future  this  matter  will  be  established 
as  a  principle  of  International  Law,  and  be  em- 
bodied in  Conventions  such  as  those  established 
at  the  Hague.  It  was  indeed  fortunate  that  in  this 
work  the  Embassy  had  the  services  of  a  military 
surgeon,  an  expert  in  sanitation,  who  with  unsur- 


PROBLEM  OF  THE  PRISONER  OF  !WAR     11 

passed  tact  laid  the  foundations  through  two  years 
of  the  development  of  this  idea.  I  refer  to  Dr. 
Karl  Ohnesorg,  Assistant  Attache  at  the  American 
Embassy  at  Berlin. 


CHAPTER  II 

THE  AEMY   CORPS  AND   THEIR   PRISON   PROBLEM 

WHILE  the  German  Foreign  Office  in  re- 
sponse to  public  opinion  and  as  a  result  of 
protests  based  on  the  reports  of  Major  V — (see 
Appendix)  and  others  might  agree  to  reciprocal 
inspection,  the  German  Army  Corps  and  Ger- 
man officers  resented  any  inspection  by  a  neutral 
and  more  particularly  by  members  of  the  Diplo- 
matic Service,  who  were,  with  a  single  excep- 
tion, not  even  military  men.  One  can  well  imagine 
the  mental  attitude  of  a  general  in  the  German 
Army  towards  a  youthful  attache  who  presumed 
to  criticise  anything  that  he  did. 

During  the  first  six  months  many  problems 
were  presented  which  gave  rise  to  considerable 
friction  between  the  inspection  service  of  the  Em- 
bassy and  the  German  authorities.  That  some 
misunderstandings  should  develop  was  naturally 
to  be  expected.  The  problem  was  altogether  new 
and  the  machinery  for  carrying  it  out  was  at  first 
rather  limited.  It  became  evident,  however,  from 
the  beginning  that  the  decentralization  of  the  Ger- 
man Government  due  to  war  conditions  was  re- 
sponsible to  a  large  extent  for  not  only  a  lack  of 

harmony  in  co-operating  with  the  idea  of  the  in- 

12 


ARMY  CORPS  AND  PRISON  PROBLEM       13 

spection  but  even  to  a  greater  degree  in  securing 
redress  for  evils  existing. 

The  Empire  is  divided  into  twenty  one  army- 
districts.  In  war  time  the  government  of  each 
district  is  placed  in  the  hands  of  a  general  and  his 
staff,  technically  known  as  an  army  corps  com- 
mand. For  all  practical  purposes  this  represents 
the  full  governmental  authority  of  the  district  as- 
signed to  the  army  corps  command.  Under  the 
military  system  and  during  a  period  of  martial 
law  the  power  of  the  general  in  command  was 
practically  absolute.  While  theoretically  he  is  re- 
sponsible to  the  Ministry  of  War  of  the  individual 
German  State  in  which  the  army  corps  district  is 
located  and  while  this  is  responsible  in  a  way  to 
the  Central  Government  at  Berlin  the  army  corps 
commander  has  so  much  authority  that  it  would 
appear  as  if  this  authority  were  final.  This  is 
confirmed  by  the  attitude  of  the  army  corps  com- 
manders not  only  in  a  military  but  often  in  a 
general  way. 

The  attitude  indeed  of  some  of  these  com- 
manders became  so  bumptious  that  it  became  a 
matter  of  discussion  in  the  Eeichstag.  Notwith- 
standing the  military  government  during  the  war, 
the  Reichstag  still  holds  its  sessions  to  listen  to 
the  chancellor  and  to  discuss  matters  which  the 
speaker  may  permit  open  for  discussion.  Af- 
ter the  Liebknecht  affair  this  power  was  delegated 
to  the  speaker.  In  the  discussion  before  men- 
tioned one  of  the  delegates  to  the  Reichstag  read 


14     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

a  letter  sent  by  one  of  the  army  corps  commanders 
in  reply  to  one  of  his  constituents  who  protested 
to  the  injustice  of  the  censorship  in  reference  to 
business  matters.  The  army  corps  commander 
replied  that  he  and  his  delegate  might  protest  as 
much  as  they  liked  but  that  he  had  the  power  and 
would  do  as  he  pleased  in  the  matter.  In  this  let- 
ter he  stated:  "We  (the  army  corps  commanders) 
are  the  ministry.  We  are  the  Bundesrat.  We 
are  the  imperial  chancellor.  We  are  the  Reich- 
stag. ' '  He  only  stopped  short  of  saying : ' '  We  are 
the  Kaiser."  This  delegate  stated:  "I  am  not 
surprised  at  this  sentence,  for  the  Gotthanlichkeit 
(Likeness  to  gods)  which  these  commanding  gen- 
erals have  assumed  on  the  basis  of  the  authority 
they  have  taken  over,  can  scarcely  be  surpassed. 

This  attitude  of  the  army  corps  commanders 
found  like  expression  in  the  attitude  of  the  various 
State  Ministries  of  War  of  Saxony,  Bavaria,  and 
Wiirtemberg  towards  the  Central  Prussian  Minis- 
try of  War  in  Berlin. 

While  in  theory  the  Ministry  of  War  in  Berlin 
is  in  supreme  control,  as  a  matter  of  fact,  it  was 
often  found  that  orders  issued  by  it  were  not  car- 
ried out  by  the  Ministries  of  War  of  the  Individ- 
ual States  or  the  army  corps  commanders  in  their 
district.  A  bureau  existed  in  the  Prussian  War 
Ministry  which  was  supposed  to  have  control  of 
all  prisoners  of  war.  This  was  found  to  be  so 
only  in  theory.  War  Ministries  of  the  individual 
states  had  direct  control  of  all  the  prisoners  within 


ARMY  CORPS  AND  PRISON  PROBLEM       15 

the  limit  of  their  respective  states.  This  prin- 
ciple was  insisted  upon  to  the  extent  that  individ- 
ual permissions  from  the  respective  ministries  of 
war  had  to  be  secured  before  prison  camps  in  their 
districts  were  visited.  The  permission  granted 
by  the  Prussian  Central  Minister  of  War  was  not 
sufficient  and  would  not  be  honored. 

It  was  a  matter  of  experience  that  where  any 
conflict  of  authority  arose  the  Central  Minister 
of  War  usually  conceded  the  point  to  the  local 
state  ministry  or  to  the  individual  army  corps  com- 
'mands.  Matters  often  became  so  involved  that 
one  gathered  the  suspicion  that  problems  pressed 
by  a  neutral  embassy  could  be  delayed  or  their 
solution  prevented  by  this  diffusion  of  authority. 
In  matters  of  this  kind  one  always  had  the  feeling 
that  the  German  Government  was  all  arms  and 
legs  and  no  head.  This  was  true  not  only  in  prob- 
lems concerning  the  prisoner  of  war  but  in  diplo- 
matic matters  generally.  It  was  easy  enough  to 
get  hold  of  an  important  member  but  when  serious 
matters  were  at  issue  it  was  absolutely  impossible 
to  find  the  head.  This  condition  of  affairs  was  all 
the  more  serious  in  the  prisoner  of  war  situation. 

While  the  Central  Government  was  at  times  sen- 
sitive to  outside  or  at  least  neutral  public  opinion 
the  army  corps  commands  were  often  totally  indif- 
ferent to  it.  Here  the  contrast  between  the  mili- 
tary point  of  view  and  that  of  the  German  people 
as  represented  by  their  Central  Government  was 
very  evident.    Not  only  were  the  German  people 


16     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

like  the  Foreign  Office  sensitive  to  outside  criti- 
cism of  the  prisoner  of  war  situation  but  were  of- 
ten at  great  pains  to  defend  their  treatment  of  the 
prisoner  even  when  they  knew  nothing  more  about 
it  than  what  occasional  contact  with  those  assigned 
to  working  on  the  farms  and  on  the  roads  gave  to 
them.  While  direct  criticism  was  as  a  rule  not 
published,  articles  in  the  public  prints  concerning 
reprisals  and  other  matters  always  led  to  a  certain 
amount  of  information  leaking  out  which  gave  a 
clue  to  foreign  criticism.  The  Central  Govern- 
ment with  more  information  as  to  neutral  feeling 
and  opinion  was  disposed  in  a  general  way  to 
avoid  the  occasion  for  increasing  resentment  over 
the  treatment  of  the  prisoner  of  war.  The  army 
corps  commanders  on  the  other  hand  representing 
as  they  do  the  principles  and  methods  of  thought 
of  the  German  Army  were  concerned  wholly  with 
obtaining  results  in  the  most  direct  way,  and  did 
not  care  what  the  outside  world  thought  of  them 
or  their  methods.  The  shortest  distance  between 
two  points  was  the  shortest  line  to  them.  It  was 
quite  immaterial  that  human  rights  and  human  be- 
ings should  stand  in  the  way  of  such  a  line  of 
action. 

The  German  military  mind  is  trained  to  effi- 
ciency. Efficiency  means  results.  The  prisoner 
of  war  problem  is  a  military  problem.  The  mili- 
tary idea  of  the  shortest  line  to  results  irrespect- 
ive of  human  rights  and  human  feeling  was  ap- 
plied to  the  prisoner  of  war  problem  even  when 


The  littlest  Russian  soldier  prisoner  with  his  Prus- 
sian "  a;uard  of  honor" 


ARMY  CORPS  AND  PRISON  PROBLEM       17 

the  industrial  complications  made  the  working 
problem  predominate  over  the  military  aspect  to 
such  an  extent  as  to  make  the  latter  negligible. 

When  it  became  necessary  to  make  the  prisoner 
of  war  work,  a  failure  to  obtain  results  would  be 
a  reflection  on  their  military  efficiency.  Here  the 
same  principle  was  evolved  as  that  in  the  Belgian 
deportation;  methods  harsh,  brutal  and  often  in- 
human were  justified  in  order  to  secure  results 
and  good  practice.  If  a  deported  Belgian  or  a 
prisoner  of  war  was  starved  to  exhaustion  and 
died  in  the  process,  he  was  still  to  be  forced  into 
a  position  where  he  would  work,  otherwise  their 
military  system  was  wrong,  and  how  could  that 
be?  I  have  no  doubt  that  facing  an  identical  sit- 
uation where  their  own  men  were  involved,  they 
would  have  had  as  little  hesitation  in  using  similar 
measures. 

Officers  high  in  rank  were  placed  in  charge  of 
prison  camps,  the  rank  of  general  was  not  uncom- 
mon. The  commandant  of  the  camp  was  there- 
fore very  often  the  same  military  grade  as  the 
army  corps  commander,  who  was  the  military  gov- 
ernor of  the  district  over  which  he  presided.  He 
represented  the  military  idea  and  enforced  it 
throughout  his  entire  staff.  It  was  not  surprising 
therefore  that  the  prisoner  of  war  problem  was 
properly  or  improperly  handled  just  in  so  far  as 
it  gave  military  results  and  not  in  accord  with  any 
humane  principles.  It  was  stated  to  me  on  one 
occasion  by  a  German  army  inspector  of  high  rank 


18     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

in  excuse  for  the  flagrant  violation  of  almost  every; 
human  consideration  in  one  of  the  German  prison 
camps,  that  the  military  authorities  had  placed  a 
general  in  charge  of  this  camp  and  had  expected 
him  to  produce  results.  They  had  left  the  admin- 
istration of  the  camp  to  him,  assuming  that  he  had 
the  rank  to  enforce  authority  over  his  own  sub- 
ordinates and  the  brains  to  do  it  properly,  but  that 
unfortunately  he  followed  too  closely  the  letter 
of  the  regulations,  etc. 

The  commandant  of  the  civilian  camp  at  Ruhle- 
ben  in  a  personal  reply  to  a  published  report  con- 
cerning his  camp  when  it  was  stated  that  criti- 
cism was  not  aimed  at  him  personally  but  to  the 
food  conditions  in  charge  of  an  officer  of  the  min- 
istry of  war  replied :  "  I  am  my  camp ;  any  criti- 
cism of  my  camp  is  a  criticism  of  me  personally." 

Many  of  the  commandants  of  the  German  prison 
camps  like  Graf  Schwerin  at  Ruhleben  were  men 
of  kindly  impulses  and  sincerely  interested  in  the 
welfare  and  comfort  of  the  men  assigned  to  their 
keeping  and  for  whom  on  the  part  of  the  prisoner 
of  war  there  was  sincere  affection.  They  were, 
however,  a  part  of  the  military  system  and  could 
not  entirely  escape  it.  Such  men  were  often 
handicapped  by  the  military  regulations,  some- 
times by  the  facilities  at  their  disposal  for  the 
care  of  the  prisoners,  sometimes  by  the  organiza- 
tion, as  in  the  food  situation  at  Ruhleben  and 
sometimes  by  their  own  lack  of  executive  ability 


ARMY  CORPS  AND  PRISON  PROBLEM       19 

to  properly  use  materials  at  hand  or  to  force  their 
own  organization  through  the  military  red  tape. 
Phe  commandant  at  Parchim  in  charge  of  a  camp 
of  thirty  five  thousand  men  stated  to  me  that, ' '  re- 
called to  military  duty  from  his  own  business  he 
had  firmly  resolved  to  come  out  of  this  difficult  and 
disagreeable  duty  with  a  clean  conscience.' *  He 
succeeded  in  infusing  this  spirit  through  his  en- 
tire staff  with  the  end  result  that  care  and  con- 
sideration for  the  prisoner  of  war  was  evident 
throughout  the  camp. 

It  may  be  stated  that  as  a  rule  that  not  only  the 
staff  but  the  noncommissioned  officers  and  the 
members  of  the  guard  all  take  their  cue  as  to  the 
treatment  of  the  prisoner  of  war  from  the  com- 
mandant. If  the  commandant  is  influenced  by 
humane  principles  and  a  kindly  spirit  one  may  ex- 
pect to  find  the  entire  camp  with  this  atmosphere. 
If,  on  the  other  hand,  the  commandant  is  a  mili- 
tary martinet  with  brutal  and  inhuman  instincts 
the  whole  atmosphere  of  the  camp  even  down  to 
the  lowest  positions  is  harsh  and  inhuman. 
"Alles  hangt  von  commandant  ab"  (Everything 
depends  on  the  commandant),  was  a  frequent  say- 
ing on  the  part  of  those  who  had  the  work  in 
charge.  As  a  matter  of  experience  one  could  al- 
most tell  from  his  estimate  of  the  commandant  at 
the  time  of  the  formal  call  before  the  inspection 
of  the  camp  what  sort  of  a  camp  he  had  to  ex- 
pect.   Strangely  enough  when  one  looks  over  the 


20     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

history  of  the  prisoner  of  war  one  is  impressed 
with  the  fact  that  not  only  now  but  far  back  into 
the  middle  ages  that  "Alles  hangt  von  command- 
ant ab." 


CHAPTER  III 

THE    MILITAEY   ORGANIZATION   OF  THE   PRISONER 

OF   WAR 

AUGUST  1st,  1916,  the  number  of  prisoners  of 
war  officially  given  out  by  the  German  Gov- 
ernment was  as  follows  1  : 

OFFICERS  MEN" 

French     5947  348,731 

Russians    9019  1,202,871 

Belgians    656  41,751 

British    947  29,956 

Servians    22,914 

Total     1,646,223 

These  prisoners  were  distributed  in  105  prison 
camps.  In  addition  to  these  camps  for  men  and 
noncommissioned  officers  there  were  camps  for 
commissioned  officers.  In  addition  to  this  there 
were  three  camps  for  civilians  interned  and  one 
camp  for  reserve  officers.  Inasmuch  as  the  prob- 
lem must  be  considered  as  essentially  a  military 
problem  and  inasmuch  as  the  dictum  of  the  Ger- 
man officers, ' '  That  good  soldiers  make  good  pris- 
oners," we  will  consider  these  phases  of  the  prob- 

i  On  July  1,  1917,  the  number  of  prisoners  of  war  in  Ger- 
many was  held  to  be  about  1,700,000,  only  a  few  prisoners  hav- 
ing been  taken  since  August,  1916. 

21 


22     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

lem.  As  a  military  problem  one  would  naturally 
expect  like  other  military  matters  it  would  be  or- 
ganized and  treated  with  the  greatest  efficiency. 
That  it  was  not  handled  with  complete  efficiency, 
that  certain  glaring  defects  developed  from  time 
to  time  was  due  largely  to  the  fact  that  it  was  an 
entirely  new  problem,  and  in  its  magnitude,  was 
unexpected.  Evidently  no  forethought  or  provis- 
ion had  been  made  for  it ;  like  other  military  oper- 
ations it  could  not  have  been  a  part  of  military 
manoeuvres  or  military  practice.  To  house  and 
provide  food  and  guard  one  and  a  half  millions  of 
men,  at  a  time  when  all  the  forces  of  the  nation 
were  centred  on  the  destruction  of  the  opposing 
army  will  I  think  be  admitted  to  be  a  rather  large 
problem.  Just  as  soon,  however,  as  the  problem 
of  housing  and  care  in  concentrated  camps  was 
worked  out  in  a  fairly  satisfactory  manner,  the 
labor  and  food  problem  in  Germany  led  to  the  em- 
ployment of  at  least  80  per  cent  of  the  prisoners 
of  war  in  mercantile  and  agricultural  pursuits 
with  the  creation  of  entirely  new  problems,  much 
more  complex  and  with  more  possibilities  for  trou- 
ble than  was  met  with  in  the  concentrated  camps. 
In  the  concentration  camps,  known  technically 
as  parent  camps,  the  prisoner  of  war  was  treated 
in  the  best  camps  on  a  complete  military  basis. 
While  this  was  contrary  to  the  military  regula- 
tions, the  right  type  of  commandant  was  found  to 
get  the  best  results  by  this  method.  The  prisoner 
of  war  was  held  to  the  same  military  discipline 


THE  MILITARY  ORGANIZATION  23 

under  his  own  noncommissioned  officers  as  in  ac- 
tive field  service  in  his  own  army.  The  ranking 
noncommissioned  officers,  a  sergeant-major  or  the 
senior  noncommissioned  officer  placed  therein, 
was  held  responsible  for  the  discipline  and  control 
of  the  men  assigned  to  him.  Orders  for  camp 
duty  for  outside  work  were  issued  to  the  noncom- 
missioned officer  and  transmitted  by  him  to  the 
battalion  or  barrack  sergeant.  The  noncommis- 
sioned officers  were  held  responsible  for  the  mili- 
tary bearing  of  the  enlisted  men,  for  their  clothes 
and  appearance  for  the  proper  attitude  towards 
the  German  officers  in  the  matter  of  salute,  etc. 
In  this  way  discipline  could  be  obtained  and  the 
authority  of  the  noncommissioned  officer  upheld. 

The  enlisted  men  receive  various  types  of  pun- 
ishment suggested  by  the  noncommissioned  offi- 
cer and  ordered  by  the  German  staff  officer  in  com- 
mand of  the  camp. 

The  noncommissioned  officer  in  such  a  camp 
occupied  an  important  and  dignified  position. 
He  had  the  welfare  of  his  men  at  heart  and  when 
efficient,  instilled  an  attitude  of  pride  and  mili- 
tary bearing  under  adverse  conditions.  Such  a 
fighting  spirit  "to  see  it  through"  as  a  member  of 
his  army  should,  was  a  great  help  in  keeping  up 
the  morale  and  in  the  prevention  of  mental  de- 
pression. 

In  the  majority  of  the  German  prison  camps 
such  a  complete  organization  was  not  only  not  in- 
sisted upon  but  not   even  permitted.    In   such 


24     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

camps  there  was  an  increase  of  friction,  and  a 
lack  of  co-operation  not  manifested  in  the  com- 
pletely organized  camps.  The  attitude  of  the 
commandant  of  these  camps  was  that  the  guard 
placed  in  each  barrack  was  in  complete  command 
and  that  the  noncommissioned  officer  had  no  rights 
over  the  enlisted  men  which  he  was  bound  to  re- 
spect. The  temptation  to  such  a  guard  who  al- 
ways had  a  musket  with  bayonet  fixed  in  his  hand 
to  enforce  his  authority  with  unnecessary  violence 
was  often  too  much  to  be  resisted. 

In  many  camps  an  intermediate  position  was 
taken  with  limited  authority  given  to  the  noncom- 
missioned officer.  While  in  some  instances  the 
excuse  given  that  the  prisoner  noncommissioned 
officer  did  not  show  the  right  spirit  of  co-operation 
might  be  true  it  is  only  fair  to  state  that  in  my  ex- 
perience, the  noncommissioned  officers,  and  more 
particularly  the  British  officers,  were  a  fine  body 
of  men  actuated  by  the  highest  principles  not  only 
in  the  care  and  the  comfort  and  the  welfare  of 
their  own  men  but  also  in  the  maintenance  of  dis- 
cipline and  the  full  co-operation  with  the  German 
camp  authorities,  when  the  attitude  of  the  latter 
was  half  reasonable.  On  the  other  hand  they 
had  the  courage  to  insist  upon  the  rights  of  the 
prisoner  of  war  as  men  and  as  soldiers  and  to 
maintain  this  attitude  even  under  terms  of  severe 
punishment.  For  the  Canadian  noncommis- 
sioned officer  too  much  cannot  be  said  in  praise  of 
him. 


THE  MILITARY  ORGANIZATION  25 

Under  the  German  system  it  was,  therefore,  pos- 
sible for  a  commandant  to  treat  his  prisoners  as 
criminals  without  any  rights,  he  was  bound  to  re- 
spect guarding  him  from  day  to  day  at  the  point  of 
the  bayonet  and  permitting  these  guards  to  use  un- 
necessary brutality  in  enforcing  their  commands. 
Under  these  circumstances  one  was  not  surprised 
to  find  that  occasionally  severe  injury  and  at  times 
the  death  of  the  prisoner  of  war  resulted  from 
some  action  of  the  guard.  The  commander  at 
Schneidemuhl  stated  that,  "it  was  better  for  the 
guard  to  use  his  musket  or  bayonet  on  the  pris- 
oner, rather  than  the  prisoner  should  be  tried  by 
court  martial  and  sentenced  to  long  years  of  im- 
prisonment." To  this  naturally  we  were  com- 
pelled to  disagree,  both  as  to  the  principle  and  the 
necessity  for  it. 

In  one  of  the  deaths  reported  at  Limburg,  to  be 
considered  in  detail  later,  one  of  the  Irish  pris- 
oners was  shot  by  the  guard,  according  to  the 
statement  furnished  us  by  the  commandant  when 
there  were  a  sufficient  number  of  people  in  the 
room  to  control  the  prisoner  who  was  under  the 
influence  of  alcohol,  permitted  by  the  same  guard. 
In  practically  all  such  cases  serious  consequences 
could  be  traced  to  the  attitude  of  the  commanding 
authorities  of  the  camp  towards  the  prisoner  and 
the  natural  reaction  attitude  of  the  guard  to  a 
reckless  and  brutal  point  of  view  of  the  officer  over 
him.  It  is  sufficient  that  the  harsh  and  brutal 
treatment  of  the  Irish  prisoners  led  to  the  shoot- 


26     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

ing  of  the  prisoners  by  the  guard  following  the 
failure  of  the  attempt  of  the  German  military  au- 
thorities to  convert  this  camp  into  a  political  camp 
and  to  seduce  the  prisoners  from  their  allegiance 
to  Great  Britain.    While  such  conditions  were  bad 
enough  in  parent  camps  under  almost  the  direct 
supervision  of  the  commandant  and  his  staff  when 
these  prisoners  were  removed  to  working  camps 
at  some  distance  from  the  parent  camps  and  when 
the  guard,  an  enlisted  soldier  and  not  an  officer, 
had  unlimited  authority,  conditions  often  became 
unbearable  and  serious  consequences  not  infre- 
quently ensued.     On  the  other  hand  the  command- 
ant when  he  was  so  disposed  evidently  had  the 
right  to  treat  the  prisoner  of  war  in  an  entirely 
different  manner,  to  regard  him  not  as  a  criminal 
but  as  a  brave  man  who  had  put  his  life  in  jeop- 
ardy for  his  own  country  and  what  he  believed  to 
be  right.     Such  a  commandant  in  treating  the 
prisoner  of  war  as  a  soldier  not  only  permitted  but 
encouraged  the  complete  military  organization  of 
the  prisoners  under  his  charge,  but  also  gave  to 
the  noncommissioned  officer  that  respect  for  his 
position  which  made  his  own  men  respect  and  obey 
him.     In  working  camps  under  his  jurisdiction 
he  assigned  whenever  possible  and  when  the  num- 
ber of  prisoners  justified  it  a  prisoner  noncom- 
missioned officer  to  take  charge  of  his  own  men 
under  orders  from  the  German  guard  and  to  ef- 
fect that  co-operation  so  essential  for  the  welfare 
of  the  prisoner  and  for  effective  results  from  their 


THE  MILITARY  ORGANIZATION  27 

labor.  It  will  therefore  be  seen  that  military  or- 
ganization of  the  prisoner  of  war  according  to  his 
own  standards  could  under  a  properly  thought  out 
scheme  be  maintained  even  in  the  working  camps. 

The  general  principle  that  the  prisoner  of  war 
was  always  a  military  problem  was  insisted  upon 
by  the  inspection  of  the  embassy.  We  assumed 
and  acted  upon  the  theory  that  even  when  the  pris- 
oner of  war  was  assigned  to  work  he  was  to  take 
orders  only  from  the  German  guard  either  di- 
rectly or  through  his  own  noncommissioned  of- 
ficer; that  the  foreman  or  other  officers  of  working 
corporations  in  industrial  plants  had  no  right  to 
give  orders  to  the  prisoner  of  war  except  through 
the  German  guard.  It  was  found  that  when  this 
principle  was  violated  that  it  always  led  to  trou- 
ble. The  feeling  of  hostility  of  the  German  work- 
man to  a  prisoner  of  war  and  more  particularly 
towards  the  British  led  him  when  permitted  to 
give  orders  to  do  this  harshly  and  often  to  enforce 
it  with  actual  brutality. 

"A  good  soldier  is  a  good  prisoner  of  war." 
This  is  unquestionably  true  under  a  proper  mili- 
tary organization  of  the  camp  and  the  working 
camp.  It  is  not  true  under  improper  organiza- 
tion and  maladministration.  The  good  prisoner 
of  war  trained  to  efficient  organization  reacts 
properly  and  in  a  favorable  way  to  an  organiza- 
tion that  is  along  right  military  lines ;  when  he  is 
treated  as  an  interned  soldier  and  not  as  a  crim- 
inal.   The  prisoner  of  war  as  a  rule  has  a  keen 


28     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

sense  of  justice  and  right  action  and  is  willing  to 
obey  when  he  understands  what  is  expected  of 
him  and  the  command  is  just  according  to  the  prin- 
ciples under  which  he  is  interned.  When  the  Ger- 
man military  authorities  posted  a  notice  on  the 
barracks  of  the  prisoner  of  war  camps  and  claimed 
for  its  justification  the  principles  imbodied  in  the 
Hague  Convention,  the  prisoner  of  war  has  a  right 
to  assume  and  does  assume  that  the  other  princi- 
ples imbodied  in  that  document,  if  it  govern  his 
own  action  should  govern  the  attitude  of  the  Ger- 
man Government  towards  him. 

It  was  found  necessary  in  a  proper  inspection  of 
the  prisoner  of  war  camps  for  the  members  of  the 
inspection  to  maintain  always  a  military  point  of 
view  towards  the  problems  presented  to  them. 
No  other  position  could  be  taken  in  matters  of  con- 
flict between  the  prisoner  of  war  and  German  mili- 
tary authority,  that  the  prisoner  of  war  was  in  the 
first  place  a  prisoner  and  in  the  second  place  a 
soldier.  That  he  was  always  expected  to  obey  or- 
ders no  matter  what  the  orders  were.  Third,  that 
if  he  considered  the  order  unjust  that  he  had  the 
right  to  appeal  to  the  American  Embassy  in  Ber- 
lin, who  would  then  take  up  the  matter  with  the 
Central  German  Government  and  have  it  rectified. 
While  the  German  Government  had  every  right  to 
expect  that  the  American  Embassy  having  charge 
of  British  interests  and  expected  us  to  take  this 
attitude  in  the  interests  of  harmony  and  avoid- 
ance of  conflict,  we  on  the  other  hand  had  the  right 


THE  MILITARY  ORGANIZATION  29 

to  expect  the  German  Government  to  live  up  to 
their  assurance  that  the  right  of  a  prisoner  of  war 
to  communicate  with  the  embassy  should  in  all 
cases  be  respected.  As  a  matter  of  fact,  this  right 
was  not  only  not  respected,  but  in  so  many  in- 
stances violated  not  only  indeed  in  reference  to  the 
common  soldier  but  even  to  the  officer  prisoners  of 
war  that  it  may  be  stated  that  it  was  more  hon- 
ored in  the  breach  than  in  its  observance.  The 
German  military  authorities  hid  behind  the  quib- 
ble that  they  had  the  right  to  censor  all  communi- 
cations sent  out  from  prison  camps  and  when  they 
found  that  when  complaints  addressed  to  the  Em- 
bassy were  without  foundation,  in  fact,  they  de- 
clined to  transmit  such  complaints,  in  other  words 
they  were  judges  and  jury  in  matters  often  of  life 
and  death  and  they  themselves  were  the  accused. 
The  attitude  on  the  part  of  the  German  military 
authorities  led  the  American  embassy  to  take  the 
position  that  a  rigorous  and  frequent  inspection 
of  every  prisoner  of  war  camp  in  Germany  was 
not  only  advisable  but  absolutely  necessary  if  in- 
justice to  the  prisoner  of  war  in  his  rights  and  in 
his  person  was  to  be  avoided,  and  this  notwith- 
standing the  fact  that  the  German  Government 
had  its  own  inspection  of  the  prisoner  of  war 
camps  and  by  all  rules  of  the  popular  idea  of 
German  efficiency,  as  applied  to  military  matters, 
should  have  been  satisfactory  and  efficient.  As 
we  proceed  we  shall  see  why  this  inspection  failed 
and  how  far  the  inspection  by  the  military  govern- 


30     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

ments  was  successful  in  compensating  for  this 
failure. 

In  dealing  with  this  subject  I  have  not  been  led 
and  will  not  consider  whether  the  treatment  of  the 
prisoner  of  war  in  other  countries  was  better  or 
worse  than  that  meted  out  to  him  in  Germany  but 
will  face  this  problem  as  a  scientific  and  humane 
problem  along  sociological  and  social  service  lines. 


CHAPTER  IV 

TECHNIQUE   OF   INSPECTION 

THE  information  upon  which  the  statements 
in  the  succeeding  chapters  have  been 
founded  are  either  matters  of  personal  ex- 
perience or  this  combined  with  the  records  of  the 
inspection  for  prisoners  of  war  for  the  American 
Embassy.  Before  entering  upon  a  consideration 
of  the  various  matters  in  connection  with  the  pris- 
oner of  war  situation  I  will  state  the  method  used 
by  the  inspection  for  the  actual  inspection  of  the 
various  camps,  the  collection  of  data  and  the  dis- 
position made  of  it.  During  the  first  five  or  six 
months  of  the  inspection  the  various  attaches  of 
the  Embassy  were  assigned  to  this  duty.  While 
all  of  these  men  were  members  of  the  diplomatic 
service  and  imbued  with  the  idea  of  doing  this 
work  in  an  honest  and  conscientious  manner  the 
complexity  of  the  problem  was  such  that  at  first 
reports  were  incomplete.  This  was  due  largely 
to  a  lack  of  system,  and  survey  of  the  prob- 
lem and  to  a  certain  extent  to  a  lack  of  train- 
ing to  consider  the  matter  from  a  scientific 
standpoint.  One  of  the  attaches,  however,  Dr. 
Karl  Ohnesorg,  passed  Assistant  Surgeon  of 
the    United    States    Navy    who    was    connected 

31 


32     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

with  the  Embassy  as  Assistant  Naval  Attache,  for 
a  period  of  almost  two  years  devoted  his  time  al- 
most exclusively  to  this  work,  and  in  spite  of  the 
limitations  placed  upon  his  activity  by  his  military 
status  he  did  exceptional  work  in  the  organization 
of  the  Inspection  Service.  His  medical  and  mili- 
tary training  especially  fitted  him  for  this  work. 
His  associate  in  the  Embassy,  Ellis  L.  Dresel,  by 
profession  an  attorney  at  law,  carried  into  this 
work  a  legal  training  which  proved  of  great  im- 
portance in  complementing  the  qualifications  of 
Dr.  Ohnesorg.  Too  much  cannot  be  said  in  praise 
of  the  results  obtained  by  these  two  men  under 
adverse  circumstances.  It  is  well  to  bear  in  mind 
that  both  these  men  were  of  mature  age  and  of 
exceptionally  good  personality.  It  was  unfor- 
tunate that  in  the  early  days  of  the  inspection 
service  and  at  times  even  to  the  termination  of  it 
that  young  men,  on  account  of  the  dearth  of  as- 
sistance in  the  Embassy  were  assigned  to  this  ser- 
vice. It  will  be  recalled  that  those  placed  in 
charge  of  prison  camps  were  men  of  high  rank  in 
the  German  Army.  For  a  young  man  just  out  of 
college  to  presume  to  tell  a  general  in  the  German 
Army  how  to  run  his  camp  was  naturally  looked 
upon  as  presumptuous.  Such  a  younger  man  was 
often,  if  not  always,  in  awe  of  these  officers  and 
unless  they  had  that  assurance  which  comes  from 
exceptional  knowledge  or  exceptional  training, 
were  not  warranted  in  taking  a  firm  position  in 
reference  to  either  abuses  or  violations  of  the 


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TECHNIQUE  OF  INSPECTION  33 

rights  of  the  prisoner  of  war.  As  a  matter  of  fact 
unless  such  qualifications  existed  many  matters, 
which  a  more  experienced  man  would  detect  could 
easily  be  overlooked  if  the  commandant  so  willed 
it.  For  this  and  other  reasons  in  my  report  to 
the  Embassy  I  insisted  that  such  younger  men 
should  be  used  as  assistants  or  secretaries  to  men 
of  more  mature  years,  insight  or  judgment  who 
would  have  charge  of  the  inspection.  I  further 
recommended  that  such  other  men  having  charge 
of  the  inspection  should  be  trained  physicians  with 
the  working  knowledge  of  large  social  service 
problems,  hygiene  and  hospital  or  camp  inspec- 
tion, with  some  knowledge  of  military  form  and 
procedure  and  with  sufficient  assurance  and  tact 
to  stand  firmly  for  their  rights  in  the  inspection 
and  for  the  correction  of  evils  wherever  they  ex- 
isted. It  would  appear  that  these  were  high  qual- 
ifications to  expect  in  one  man.  After  the  organi- 
zation of  the  inspection  a  man  fulfilling  all  these 
qualifications,  C.  L.  Furbush,  was  assigned  to  this 
work. 

It  was  the  intention  of  Ambassador  Gerard  to 
assign  two  other  men  of  this  caliber  to  this  work, 
but  diplomatic  relations  were  broken  before  this 
could  be  accomplished.  It  was  evident  that  with 
such  a  complex  problem,  there  must  be  a  system- 
atic and  detailed  inspection  of  the  individual 
camps  with  a  follow  up  principle  added  if  com- 
plete results  were  to  be  obtained. 


34     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

DIFFICULTIES   OF   THE   PROBLEM 

Perhaps  the  greatest  difficulty  encountered  was 
the  attitude  of  the  German  military  authorities  to 
the  inspection  of  their  camps.  While  as  a  rule 
polite  and  considerate  to  the  members  of  the  Em- 
bassy it  was  evident  that  they  resented  an  inspec- 
tion as  a  reflection  on  their  camps.  This  was  due 
in  part  to  the  attitude  taken  by  the  British  Gov- 
ernment that  inspection  should  be  made  without 
previous  notice  and  in  part  to  the  practice  of  the 
Embassy  of  making  an  immediate  inspection  of 
the  camp  whenever  a  complaint  reached  the  Brit- 
ish Government  or  the  Embassy  that  conditions 
in  the  camp  were  unsatisfactory.  Commandants 
as  a  result  of  this  came  to  look  upon  an  inspection 
as  an  investigation  and  naturally  took  a  resistant 
attitude.  When,  however,  they  came  to  realize 
that  an  inspection  was  an  inspection  and  nothing 
more  and  that  good  conditions  were  praised  with 
the  same  fairness  that  bad  conditions  were  con- 
demned and  that  the  inspection  was  to  become  a 
routine  matter  to  be  made  at  regular  stated  inter- 
vals, this  attitude  largely  disappeared.  The  same 
effect  was  noted  when  a  right  of  surprise  inspec- 
tion was  not  insisted  upon  and  previous  notice  of 
the  inspection  was  actually  served  on  the  com- 
mandant. What  little  value  there  might  be  to  an 
inspection  without  notice  was  not  compensated  for 
by  the  resistance  created  by  notification.  While 
this  latter  might  be  of  some  value  to  an  amateur 


TECHNIQUE  OF  INSPECTION  35 

inspector  it  was  of  relatively  little  or  no  value  to 
an  inspector  of  experience,  training  and  judg- 
ment. In  a  camp  of  from  ten  to  forty  thousand 
men  even  if  it  were  possible  to  change  conditions 
so  as  to  prepare  for  an  inspection  it  would  disturb 
the  routine  of  the  camp  too  much,  in  order  to  ef- 
fect this  and  be  inconsistent  with  the  routine  meth- 
ods of  the  German  mind.  Inasmuch  as  prisoners 
could  be  examined  out  of  hearing  of  the  guard  it 
was  a  perfectly  easy  matter  to  determine  whether 
the  food  exhibited  on  the  day  of  inspection  was  of 
a  different  quality  or  quantity  than  that  of  the  pre- 
vious week  or  even  month.  Careful  questioning 
of  the  noncommissioned  officers,  examined  sep- 
arately, and  of  the  enlisted  men  prisoners  of  war, 
would  give  accurate  information  not  only  as  to  this 
but  as  to  other  matters  in  connection  with  the 
camp. 

In  order  therefore  to  eliminate  the  necessity  for 
previous  notice  and  in  order  that  each  and  every 
prisoner  of  war  might  have  the  opportunity  to 
make  a  complaint  or  to  give  information  of  value 
for  the  inspection,  the  following  routine  outline 
of  inspection  was  developed.  In  the  early  days  of 
the  inspection  it  was  not  considered  polite  or  re- 
spectful to  the  German  authorities  to  make  writ- 
ten notes  either  of  conditions  or  complaints  regis- 
tered by  the  men.  When,  however,  a  detailed  and 
printed  form  of  inspection  with  certain  spaces  to 
be  filled  in  were  exhibited  at  the  beginning  of  the 
inspection  and  filled  put  as  the  inspection  pro- 


36     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMAN? 

gressed  this  had  not  only  the  contrary  effect,  but 
rather  impressed  the  camp  authorities  with  the 
idea  that  the  inspection  was  to  be  routine  and 
thorough.     (See  Appendix.) 

RULES  FOR  CAMP  INSPECTION" 

If  previous  notice  has  been  decided  upon  a  call 
is  made  at  army  headquarters,  the  general  com- 
manding the  army  corps  is  called  upon  and  a  card 
left  for  him.  A  visit  is  then  made  to  the  depart- 
ment of  prisoners  of  war  of  the  army  corps.  The 
officer  in  command  of  this  division,  after  the  au- 
thorization papers  have  been  presented,  is  then 
told  what  camp  or  camps  the  inspector  intends  to 
visit;  he  is  then  requested  to  detail  an  officer  to 
accompany  the  inspection  party  of  the  Embassy. 

This  latter  is  advised  and  is  found  to  work  out 
well  in  practice.  The  officer  detailed  from  the 
army  corps  does  not  feel  any  particular  camp  to  be 
his  personal  responsibility  and  can  be  made  to  see 
unfavorable  conditions  from  the  view  point  of  the 
neutral;  complaints  as  to  harsh  and  brutal  treat- 
ment can  be  investigated  on  the  spot  and  remedial 
measures  immediately  ordered  without  too  much 
delay.  At  the  beginning  of  the  camp  inspection 
an  official  visit  is  paid  to  the  commandant  of  the 
camp  where  the  authorization  papers  are  again 
presented.  The  commandant  is  requested  then  to 
furnish  from  his  records  the  following  informa- 
tion: 

A.  Total  number  of  prisoners  in  the  camp. 


TECHNIQUE  OF  INSPECTION  37 

B.  Total  number  of  prisoners  for  which  the 
camp  was  constructed. 

C.  Total  number  of  British  prisoners.  Total 
number  of  French  prisoners.  Total  number  of 
Eussian  prisoners.  Total  number  of  Servian 
prisoners. 

D.  Number  of  prisoners  confined  in  the  hos- 
pital. List  of  prisoners  who  have  died,  and  cause 
of  death. 

E.  Number  of  prisoners  assigned  to  working 
camps,  with  the  list  of  the  various  working  camps 
under  the  control  of  the  parent  camp  in  which 
British  or  Servians  are  found. 

F.  Number  of  British  or  Servian  prisoners  of 
war,  if  either,  a,  in  punishment  barracks,  b,  in  the 
camp  jail. 

G.  A  plan  of  the  camp  if  such  plan  is  not 
already  on  file  at  the  Embassy. 

The  commandant  of  the  camp  should  then  be 
asked  if  he  has  any  statement  to  make  in  reference 
to  the  British  or  Servian  prisoners  in  the  camp 
or  working  camps.  If  such  statements  are  made 
in  reference  to  particular  cases,  careful  note 
should  be  made  at  the  time  or  if  this  is  deemed  in- 
advisable detailed  notes  should  be  made  imme- 
diately after  the  inspection. 

It  was  usual  for  the  commandant  and  his  camp 
officer  and  sometimes  his  entire  staff  to  accom- 
pany the  inspection  party. 

At  the  outset  of  the  inspection  a  request  was 
made  that  the  senior  British  noncommissioned 


38     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

officer  should  be  sent  for  and  permitted  to  assist 
in  the  inspection.  This  was  usually  permitted 
without  question  and  in  those  cases  where  it  was 
objected  to,  it  was  insisted  upon.  Upon  his  ar- 
rival the  senior  noncommissioned  officer  was 
asked  to  make  a  report  of  the  British  prisoners 
under  his  command.  This  was  done  advisedly  in 
order  to  assume  that  a  military  organization  of 
the  prisoners  of  war  existed  and  that  he,  a  senior 
noncommissioned  officer  would  naturally  be  ex- 
pected to  know  of  conditions  of  the  men  under 
him.  He  was  asked  specifically  to  report  on  the 
general  treatment  of  the  men,  discipline,  clothing, 
shoes,  housing,  etc.,  and  to  any  knowledge  he 
might  have  of  working  camp  conditions  either 
from  direct  observation  or  from  reports  of  pris- 
oners having  returned  from  such  camps.  After 
these  matters  were  noted  the  inspection  of  the 
camps  was  begun,  taking  each  battalion  in  suc- 
cession. Each  barrack  in  which  prisoners  of  war 
were  confined  was  then  inspected.  Prisoners  of 
war  were  lined  up  in  military  formation  outside 
the  barrack  under  the  command  of  the  noncom- 
missioned officer  of  the  barrack.  Clothing,  shoes, 
and  general  appearance  was  then  individually 
noted.  The  senior  noncommissioned  officer  an- 
nounced to  the  men  that  the  inspectors  were  from 
the  American  Embassy  in  Berlin,  and  that  they 
represented  the  interest  of  the  British  Govern- 
ment. If  any  one  had  any  complaint  to  make  he 
would  be  permitted  to  do  so  in  private.    Any  pris- 


TECHNIQUE  OF  INSPECTION  39 

oner  having  such  a  complaint  was  ordered  to  step 
out  of  the  ranks.  Each  complaint  was  heard  sep- 
arately out  of  hearing  of  the  German  officers  and 
of  the  other  prisoners.  After  recording  the  name 
and  number  of  the  prisoner  of  war,  careful  notes 
were  made  of  the  complaint.  After  all  the  com- 
plaints had  been  registered  a  short  address  was 
made  to  the  men  in  which  their  attention  was 
called  to  the  fact  that  they  were  still  under  their 
own  military  discipline  and  that  they  were  ex- 
pected to  take  orders  from  their  own  noncom- 
missioned officer  in  command.  Their  attention, 
when  necessary,  was  also  called  to  the  necessity 
of  maintaining  a  strict  military  bearing  and  a  neat 
soldierly  appearance  in  order  to  maintain  the  tra- 
ditions of  their  own  army. 

The  barracks  were  then  inspected ;  measured  as 
to  cubic  air  content,  the  number  of  windows,  ven- 
tilation, cleanliness,  the  type  and  arrangements  of 
beds,  nature  of  the  bedding,  number  of  blankets, 
heating  and  lighting  arrangements  and  any  details 
such  as  tables  for  eating,  rooms  for  noncommis- 
sioned officers,  etc.,  noted. 

Each  successive  barrack  with  its  man  content 
was  inspected  in  the  same  way.  After  all  the  bar- 
racks had  been  inspected  a  detailed  inspection  of 
the  hospital  was  made.  Careful  notes  were  made 
as  to  the  size,  ventilation,  heat,  lighting,  bed  con- 
tent, bathing  facilities  and  general  hospital  equip- 
ment. This  inspection  is  made  with  the  physician 
in  charge.    Each  British  prisoner  in  the  hospital 


40     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

was  then  visited,  his  name,  regiment  and  diagno- 
sis noted ;  his  condition  inquired  into  and  any  com- 
plaint or  request  noted  and  registered.  A  note 
was  also  made  of  the  number  of  physicians  in 
charge,  their  rank  and  nationality,  number  of  or- 
derlies, etc. 

The  camp  jail  was  then  inspected  and  any  pris- 
oners confined  therein  were  examined  and  careful 
note  made  of  the  charges  against  them,  their  state- 
ment of  the  case,  etc.  (The  examination  of  men 
under  arrest  in  the  jail  and  in  the  punishment  bar- 
racks had  to  be  made  in  the  presence  of  the  Ger- 
man officers  according  to  the  agreement  stated 
in  the  authorization.  Punishment  barracks  were 
then  visited  and  the  inspection  carried  out  as 
in  that  of  the  jail.  In  this  way  every  prisoner 
confined  in  the  camp  had  the  opportunity  of 
making  requests  or  complaints  as  to  his  condi- 
tion, his  food,  his  treatment,  etc.  Inspection  was 
then  made  of  the  kitchens  and  the  meal  prepared 
during  the  inspection  was  inspected  in  prepara- 
tion and  tested.  Food  stores  were  inspected  and 
in  those  camps  where  bread  was  baked,  the  bakery 
was  also  inspected.  Sanitary  arrangements  were 
carefully  noted  as  to  type,  size,  cleanliness  and  po- 
sition with  reference  to  the  barracks,  etc.,  oppor- 
tunities for  exercise  and  amusement,  for  religious 
services,  library,  the  censoring  department  of  let- 
ters; the  department  of  and  censoring  of  food 
packages,  arrangements  for  bathing,  etc. 


C 

E 
u 


TECHNIQUE  OF  INSPECTION  41 

When  this  inspection  was  completed  a  confer- 
ence was  held  with  the  commandant  in  reference 
to  any  matters  that  might  have  developed  during 
the  inspection.  A  request  was  then  made  that  all 
matters  agreed  upon  as  valid  complaints  should 
be  corrected.  The  commandant  was  then  told 
that  it  was  a  matter  of  definite  routine  and  the 
Embassy  expected  to  reinspect  the  camp  in  four 
months.  If  conditions  were  bad  an  inspection 
was  to  be  made  within  a  month. 

Inspection  for  officer  prisoners  of  war  was  made 
very  much  after  the  same  fashion;  it  was,  how- 
ever, found  difficult  to  keep  such  inspections  sys- 
tematic on  account  of  the  differences  in  housing, 
etc.  The  senior  officer  usually  reported  for  his 
camp  and  the  officers  under  him ;  he  also  reported 
for  the  enlisted  personnel  of  war  serving  as  order- 
lies. The  inspection  of  quarters  both  for  officers 
and  men  followed  the  same  routine  as  in  the  large 
parent  camps.  As  far  as  possible  all  the  officers 
found  in  quarters  were  given  the  privilege  of  mak- 
ing complaints  or  filing  requests  to  be  trans- 
mitted by  the  Embassy.  It  was  found,  however, 
that  the  senior  commanding  officer  was  in  close 
touch  with  all  his  men  and  his  report  was  usually 
so  comprehensive  that  little  was  added  to  it  from 
the  individual  interviews.  Inspection  of  the  work- 
ing camps  followed  in  a  general  way  the  inspec- 
tion of  the  parent  camp.  The  detail  of  this  will 
be  considered  in  the  chapter  on  working  camps. 


42     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

DISPOSITION"   OF   REPORTS 

At  the  termination  of  a  day's  work  of  inspection 
reports  were  drawn  up  of  each  individual  camp 
and  elaborated  in  despatch  form  used  in  the  dip- 
lomatic service.  The  notes  taken  at  the  time  of 
inspection  were  used  as  a  basis  in  this  report. 
Matters  under  discussion  with  the  commandant 
or  the  army  corps  in  the  absence  of  stenographic 
notes  were  reported  as  far  as  possible  in  the  exact 
words  used  in  the  interview.  Complaints  of  pris- 
oners, however,  were  always  taken  down  verba- 
tim. 

The  early  reports  were  arranged  in  narrative 
form.  It  became  evident,  however,  that  reports 
like  the  inspection  itself  must  be  systematized  and 
arranged  in  some  definite  order  for  easy  reference 
and  compilation  of  statistics.  This  arrangement 
followed  in  a  general  way  the  form  used  in  the  de- 
scription of  the  parent  camp  and  the  working 
camps. 

The  report  and  more  particularly  the  diplo- 
matic matters  contained  therein  were  passed  upon 
by  the  ambassador.  Two  copies  were  sent  to  the 
German  Foreign  Office,  two  copies  to  the  British 
Foreign  Office  through  the  American  Embassy  in 
London,  two  copies  to  the  State  Department  in 
Washington,  and  two  copies  kept  on  file  at  the 
American  Embassy  at  Berlin.  The  copies  sent 
to  the  German  Foreign  Office  and  later  to  the  Ger- 
man   Ministry    of    War,    were    eventually    sent 


TECHNIQUE  OF  INSPECTION  43 

through  the  army  corps  command  to  the  command- 
ant of  the  camp  inspected. 

According  to  the  rules  of  the  inspection  depart- 
ment of  the  Embassy  only  matters  of  fact  were  to 
be  included  in  the  reports.  The  personal  opinion 
of  the  inspector  was  not  to  be  expressed.  This 
naturally  limited  the  report  both  as  to  form  and 
substance.  While  it  had  certain  disadvantages  it 
always  kept  the  reports  more  than  fair  to  the  Ger- 
man Government  and  avoided  giving  offense. 
Matters  of  fact  could  be  substantiated  and  con- 
trolled. 

During  the  first  year  of  the  war  certain  adverse 
matters  were  withheld  from  the  reports  with  the 
hope  that  the  evils  could  be  more  easily  corrected 
and  possibly  with  the  idea  of  placating  the  Ger- 
man officials  and  to  relieve  the  irritation  produced 
by  the  report  of  adverse  conditions.  The  German 
official  does  not,  however,  appreciate  this  form  of 
courtesy.  They  rather  looked  upon  it  as  weak- 
ness and  lack  of  experience.  To  an  officer  high 
in  the  staff  of  the  German  army  corps  I  stated 
that,  "If  I  had  his  assurance  that  certain  evils 
would  be  corrected,  I  would  include  his  assur- 
ance in  my  report  but  that  I  would  nevertheless 
make  a  report  of  the  conditions  as  found."  He 
replied  that  he  understood  this  perfectly;  that  a 
report  was  a  report  and  unless  it  included  every- 
thing observed  it  was  of  no  value.  The  determin- 
ation to  report  adverse  conditions  in  this  case 
was  the  most  important  factor  in  securing  the  re- 


44     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

forms  demanded.  Any  weakness  in  this  regard 
would  have  been  met  with  a  reluctance  to  make  any 
changes;  even  when  it  was  found  that  reforms 
were  later  effected  any  reply  to  criticism  and  ad- 
mission to  wrong  doing  was  never  secured  and  the 
changed  conditions  were  often  noted  in  subsequent 
inspections.  By  the  above  method  of  disposition 
of  reports  the  German  Government  was  kept  al- 
ways in  close  touch  with  the  work  of  the  inspec- 
tion and  its  point  of  view.  In  a  survey  of  all  the 
reports  submitted  I  cannot  recall  a  case  where  an 
attitude  was  taken  which  was  at  all  unfair  to  the 
German  Government.  On  the  contrary,  reports 
were  often  mild  expressions  of  conditions  which 
could  very  easily  and  justly  have  been  made  to 
appear  much  worse  than  stated. 


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X. 


•  Army  Corps  Headquarters 

o=Officertt'  Camps  for  P.  0.   W. 
o — — Camps  for  Men  P.  0.  W. 
oeiv.      Camps  for  Civilians 


on  of  prison  camps 


CHAPTEE  V 

THE   PARENT   CAMP 

THE  statement  has  already  been  made  that 
"the  commandant  was  his  camp."  This 
was  due  in  large  part  to  the  latitude  given  to  the 
commandant  in  regard  to  practically  all  matters 
of  discipline,  preparation  of  food,  organization  of 
the  camp,  etc.  There  were,  however,  certain  gen- 
eral regulations  issued  by  the  Central  Ministry  of 
War  which  gave  rise  to  much  trouble,  and  were 
responsible  for  the  flagrant  violation  of  the  rights 
of  the  prisoners.  The  most  important  regula- 
tion in  this  respect  or,  to  put  it  in  a  different  way, 
the  regulation  most  potent  for  trouble  from  their 
own  standpoint  and  from  pain  and  suffering  and 
discontent  on  the  part  of  the  prisoner,  was  that 
issued  to  the  effect  that  all  prisoners  Russian, 
French,  British,  Belgians  and  Servians  should  be 
confined  in  the  same  camps  and  share  the  same 
barracks.  When  to  this  mixture  was  added  the 
French  Colonial,  Negro,  Mussulman  and  the 
British  Colonials  from  India,  the  possibilities  of 
social  inconvenience  can  be  imagined.  This  was 
true  of  both  officers  as  well  as  men.  The  explana- 
tion given  was  "in  order  to  demonstrate  to  these 
prisoners  that  they  were  not  neutral  allies."    It 

45 


46     THE  PRISONER  07  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

was  evident,  therefore,  that  this  inconvenience  was 
intended  by  the  German  authorities.  Such  an  act 
was  followed  by  just  retribution.  The  American 
Embassy  insisted  from  the  beginning  on  a  separa- 
tion of  the  different  races.  It  made  representa- 
tions to  the  Foreign  Office  that  the  British  be  con- 
fined in  separate  camps.  This  request  was  always 
met  by  a  refusal.  The  Germans  said  they  were 
allies,  and  if  they  could  fight  together  they  should 
be  quartered  together.  The  difference  in  customs 
and  habits  of  life,  more  particularly  in  reference 
to  food  and  ventilation,  produced  dissatisfaction 
and  accentuated  discontent.  In  overcrowded  bar- 
racks the  Eussians  insisted  upon  having  every- 
thing closed  tight.  The  French,  while  sensitive  to 
odors,  were  mortally  afraid  of  a  courant  d'air. 
The  English  Tommy,  after  the  open  life  of  the 
campaign,  insisted  on  fresh  air  and  often  went  to 
the  trouble  to  fight  for  it,  even  though  he  had  to 
suffer  punishment  in  a  stuffy  jail  after  he  got  it. 
In  matters  of  food  and  recreation,  in  methods  of 
both  work  and  play,  racial  differences  led  to  ir- 
ritation and  were  often  subversive  of  discipline. 
This  led  to  peculiar  atmospheres  in  various  camps. 
In  some  camps  the  English  despised  the  French 
but  were  sympathetic  towards  the  Eussian;  in  the 
other  camps  the  reverse  was  true.  The  same  was 
true  in  the  attitude  towards  the  Belgians  and  the 
Belgians  towards  the  other  groups.  The  Allied 
feeling  of  dislike  for  the  Germans  was  a  bond, 
however,  which  united  all  and  served  to  a  certain 


THE  PARENT  CAMP  47 

extent  in  keeping  the  interallied  antipathy  from 
becoming  too  acute.  This  attitude  was  aptly  put 
by  a  British  soldier  who,  after  a  violent  diatribe 
against  the  Russians  in  which  he  stated  they  were 
not  civilized,  in  reply  to  my  statement  they  were 
his  allies,  said,  ' '  They  did  not  have  to  be  civilized 
to  be  his  allies. "  This  indeed  was  a  point  of  view 
of  those  who  found  it  hard  to  live  cheek  by  jowl. 

The  soldier  may  picture  to  himself  the  discom- 
forts of  trench  life,  the  possibility  of  being 
wounded,  of  loss  of  limb  or  eyesight ;  he  may  have 
discounted  the  possibility  of  death  in  battle ;  but, 
strangely  enough,  one  rarely  comes  across  in  the 
prison  camps  a  prisoner  who  had  ever  considered 
the  possibility  of  being  taken  captive.  One  can 
readily  picture  the  sense  of  discouragement  and 
depression  that  overtakes  these  men  when  they 
find  themselves  isolated  in  the  quarantine  of  a 
large  prison  camp.  Without  freedom  of  move- 
ment throughout  the  camp,  forced  to  subsist  on  the 
camp  ration  foreign  to  their  taste,  and  huddled 
together  in  barracks  with  other  strange  nationali- 
ties whose  language  they  do  not  understand,  the 
depression  and  resentment  once  thus  begun  rarely 
completely  leaves  the  prisoner  of  war.  I  never 
expect  to  see  more  utter  desolation  and  hopeless- 
ness pictured  on  human  faces  than  that  of  some 
French  prisoners  recently  taken  at  Verdun. 

From  the  care-free  life  in  the  field,  with  all  that 
fine  feeling  of  enthusiasm  which  came  with  the 
successful  defense  of  Verdun,  from  a  proud  mem- 


48     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

ber  of  a  victorious  army,  here  they  were  after  an 
ill-advised  counter  attack  suddenly  transferred  to 
sordid  surroundings  of  a  not  too  good  prison 
camp.  Here,  confined  to  a  very  small  area  by  the 
high  barbed  wire  surrounding  their  quarantine 
barracks,  they  sat  and  brooded  from  day  to  day 
with  hardly  a  change  of  position  and  without  a 
motion  unless  ordered  into  their  barracks  by  a 
pompous  and  blustering  German  noncommissioned 
officer  and  his  guard.  There  they  sat,  woe  per- 
sonified, apparently  looking  through  the  barbed 
wire,  but  with  that  vacant  look  which  could  only 
mean  a  refusal  to  accept  as  real  the  things  they 
saw  and  to  look  through  and  beyond  it  to  what 
might  have  been. 

The  general  atmosphere  of  the  prison  camp  is 
one  of  depression,  and  when  to  this  is  added  un- 
just treatment,  a  dangerous  mental  attitude  is  en- 
gendered which  is  dangerous  both  for  the  men  and 
the  camp.  The  little  social  traits  and  habits 
which  different  races  find  irritating,  to  say  noth- 
ing of  the  larger  and  more  serious  differences 
which  sometimes  exist,  as  between  the  blacks  and 
whites,  produced  a  condition  of  hypersensitive- 
ness  and  hyperirritability.  This  continued  from 
day  to  day,  from  week  to  week,  from  month  to 
month,  and  the  uncertainly  of  its  duration  mag- 
nified it  many  times. 

This  order  of  mixing  the  races  had  only  one 
advantage:  it  led  to  repeated  inspection  by  the 
American  and  Spanish  embassies.    Had  all  the 


THE  PARENT  CAMP  49 

British  been  confined  in  one  camp  or  a  series  of 
camps,  the  problem  of  handling  the  men  as  well 
as  the  inspection  would  have  been  much  simpli- 
fied. As  it  was,  the  American  Embassy  in  its  in- 
spection of  the  British  prisoners  insisted  upon 
certain  camp  reforms  which  necessarily  benefited 
the  total  number  of  prisoners.  The  Spanish  Em- 
bassy inspecting  the  French  had  the  similar  ef- 
fect for  the  good  of  the  British.  While  the  dis- 
advantage of  this  regulation  must  have  been 
obvious  to  the  German  authorities,  the  feeling 
against  the  British  was  so  intense  that  segregation 
was  not  considered.  The  reason  for  their  action 
becomes  all  the  more  obvious  when  it  is  recalled 
that  the  Irish  prisoners  were  segregated  in  one  of 
the  best  constructed  camps  of  Germany,  but  not 
from  humane  but  for  political  considerations. 
The  discontent  and  friction  in  the  camps,  while  a 
sufficiently  bad  effect,  was  as  nothing  compared  to 
the  eventual  great  evil  of  epidemic  disease  that 
resulted  from  this  administrative  error.  The 
Eussian  soldier  brought  into  these  camps  the 
germs  of  typhus,  and  in  Eussia  typhus  is  epidemic 
and  occurs  in  such  a  mild  form  as  to  be  easily  over- 
looked. The  epidemic  of  typhus  fever  which 
broke  out  in  the  German  camps  and  gave  rise  to 
such  serious  consequences  could  have  been  en- 
tirely avoided,  as  far  as  the  French  and  British 
were  concerned,  had  these  nations  been  segregated 
in  separate  camps.  Had  this  been  done,  the  Ger- 
man Government,  the   German  people,  German 


50     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

science  would  not  have  had  to  face  for  many  gen- 
erations the  stigma  of  Wittenberg  and  the  other 
plague  camps. 

Before  taking  up  the  consideration  of  the  un- 
favorable type  of  camp,  it  would  be  well  to  con- 
sider the  transport  of  prisoners  to  camps  and  the 
general  organization  of  these  camps.  It  is  usual, 
after  taking  prisoners  of  war,  to  transport  them 
immedately  into  the  interior  of  Germany.  When 
facilities  exist,  a  detention  in  the  military  zone  is 
sometimes  practised  for  the  purpose  of  steriliza- 
tion, so  to  speak,  in  order  to  prevent  the  importa- 
tion of  disease.  Dr.  Ohnesorg,  who  inspected 
these  hospitals  back  of  the  front,  reports  that  at 
Montmedy  five  hundred  French  prisoners  of  war 
were  quartered  in  an  old  fortress  in  the  town. 
Here  they  were  given  a  careful  medical  examina- 
tion, with  more  particular  reference  to  typhoid, 
typhus,  smallpox  and  cholera.  They  were  vac- 
cinated against  all  these  diseases.  While  this 
was  being  done  their  clothes  were  sterilized,  and 
when  this  process  was  completed  they  were  then 
transported  to  large  prison  camps.  When  large 
numbers  of  prisoners  were  taken,  these  methods' 
were  found  to  be  impracticable,  prisoners  then  be- 
ing transported  directly.  In  this  event  a  certain 
portion  of  the  camp  to  which  they  are  sent  is 
designated  as  quarantine.  When  it  was  found 
that  Russian  troops  were  suffering  from  typhus 
and  an  epidemic  of  the  disease  had  broken  out  in 
the  German  camps,  detention  of  Russian  prison- 


A  picture   that  tells  its   own   story 


.Hit 


The  guard  with  bayonet  is  always  there 


THE  PARENT  CAMP  51 

ers  back  of  the  line,  where  fumigation  could  be 
practiced,  was  made  the  rule.  German  soldiers 
were  also  submitted  to  this  process  before  leave 
was  granted  to  return  to  their  homes. 

Prisoners  of  war  were  transported  in  box  cars, 
the  floor  of  which  was  covered  with  straw ;  neces- 
sary stops  were  made  from  time  to  time  for  food, 
etc.  Prisoners  who  were  severely  wounded  or 
those  who  might  need  medical  or  surgical  care 
were  transported  in  ambulance  trains.  Those 
prisoners  who  were  so  severely  wounded  that  im- 
mediate transportation  was  not  warranted  were 
treated  in  hospitals  in  the  military  zone.  At  times 
they  were  found  in  hospitals  with  the  German 
wounded.  Officer  prisoners  of  war  were  as  a  rule 
given  transportation  in  passenger  coaches  of 
third  or  even  second  class. 

When  a  prisoner  of  war  arrived  at  a  camp, 
which  had  been  selected  by  the  military  authori- 
ties, he  was  isolated  for  a  period  of  three  weeks 
in  a  separate  company  compound.  Intercourse 
with  the  other  prisoners  was  not  permitted  and 
only  those  German  officers  who  were  assigned  to 
this  special  duty  were  permitted  in  this  camp 
area.  Even  the  members  of  the  Embassy  Staff 
who  were  assigned  to  the  work  of  inspection  were 
never  permitted  to  inspect  these  quarantined  pris- 
oners. Inasmuch  as  these  prisoners  were  recently 
taken,  sufficient  time  had  not  elapsed  for  food 
packages  to  arrive  from  home  and  they  were  com- 
pelled to  subsist  on  the  German  camp  food  which 


52     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

added  to  their  other  trials  was  a  distinct  hard- 
ship. The  Irish  prisoners  at  Limburg  made  of- 
ficial complaint  that  the  camp  authorities  would 
not  permit  them  to  share  their  bread  ration  with 
these  quarantined  French  prisoners. 

While  this  quarantine  is  a  necessary  and  wise 
precaution  it  appeared  to  be  unnecessarily  and 
harshly  carried  out.  At  a  time  when  kindness 
would  have  meant  much  in  alleviating  the  fear  and 
depression  of  men  recently  taken  prisoners,  close 
confinement  and  harsh  discipline  was  the  rule. 
Like  all  people  engaged  in  the  present  war  they 
feared  the  worst  and  in  this  their  anticipations 
were  made  real.  They  experienced  the  worst 
phase  of  prison  camp  life  which  without  much 
trouble  could  have  been  entirely  avoided.  There 
was  no  particular  reason  why  the  physicians  as- 
signed to  the  work  of  inspection  should  not  have 
inspected  this  portion  of  the  camp.  In  some  in- 
stances this  principle  of  quarantine  was  abused 
in  order  to  conceal  prisoners  whom  the  German 
Government  did  not  evidently  want  interviewed 
by  the  American  Embassy.  This  was  true  of 
groups  taken  either  in  naval  engagements  or  after 
some  of  the  sea  raids. 

During  this  period  of  detention  a  careful  physi- 
cal survey  is  made.  Prisoners  are  vaccinated 
against  typhoid,  smallpox  and  cholera.  He  under- 
goes a  personal  disinfection.  All  his  clothing  and 
personal  equipment  are  fumigated  or  sterilized. 
After  the  period  of  detention  the  prisoners  are 


THE  PARENT  CAMP  53 

then  distributed  to  the  various  companies  in  the 
camp. 

There  are  one  hundred  and  five  of  these  parent 
camps  for  concentration  of  prisoners  of  war  in 
Germany.  While  some  of  the  larger  camps  are 
located  in  agricultural  districts,  the  large  major- 
ity have  evidently  been  so  placed  as  to  furnish 
easy  distribution  of  prisoners  of  war  to  the  man- 
ufacturing industries  of  the  country.  Some  of  the 
older  camps  such  as  those  at  Parchim  and  Alten 
Grabow  are  very  large.  The  camp  at  Parchim 
accommodates  forty  thousand  men.  Camps  are 
usually  built  to  hold  from  ten  to  twelve  thousand 
prisoners.  Such  camps  are  usually  located  along 
the  lines  of  railway  communications.  While  they 
are  sometimes  situated  within  the  confines  of  a 
town  or  city  they  are  as  a  rule  found  in  country 
districts.  After  some  experience  in  the  construc- 
tion of  the  early  camps  they  followed  in  a  general 
way  the  same  plan. 

As  one  approached  such  a  camp,  long  rows  of 
rather  low  buildings  built  of  wood,  extending  in 
the  larger  camps,  for  two  or  three  miles,  are  seen. 
One  or  more  watch  towers,  on  the  platforms  of 
which  heavy  guns  are  mounted,  rise  above  the 
general  camp  level.  The  camp  is  surrounded  by 
two  rows  of  barbed  wire  approximately  twenty 
feet  apart.  In  some  camps  this  again  is  sur- 
rounded by  a  board  fence  twelve  to  fifteen  feet 
high.  At  the  entrance  of  the  camp  is  situated 
the  commandantur ;  in  this  building  the  officers  of 


54     THE  PEISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

the  commandant  and  his  staff  are  housed.  The 
camp  is  divided  into  blocks  and  these  again  into 
smaller  areas.  A  camp  of  ten  thousand  men  for 
example  will  be  divided  up  into  five  blocks  sep- 
arated from  each  other  by  barbed  wire  partitions. 
Each  block  is  designed  to  accommodate  a  battalion 
of  two  thousand  prisoners.  This  battalion  is 
again  divided  into  companies  of  two  hundred.  In 
each  compound  for  such  a  battalion  there  will  be 
ten  barracks  each  holding  two  hundred  men.  In 
the  more  modern  camps  each  barrack  was  designed 
for  squads  of  a  hundred  men  with  twenty  such 
barracks  for  each  battalion  division  of  the  camp. 
The  prisoners  were  not  permitted  as  a  rule  to  go 
from  one  battalion  division  to  another.  Each  one 
of  these  divisions  has  its  own  latrines,  wash  house 
and  kitchens.  As  one  views  such  a  camp  there  is 
nothing  particularly  picturesque  about  it.  Even 
in  well  kept  camps  they  appear  sordid  and  un- 
kempt. The  prisoners  as  a  rule  stand  around  in 
listless  groups.  There  is  a  general  atmosphere 
of  depression.  As  one  enters  the  average  prison 
barrack  the  unfavorable  external  appearance  is 
somewhat  intensified.  Low  long  rows  of  double 
tier  bunks  take  up  the  central  floor  space  of  the 
barrack.  Long  tables  for  serving  food  are  placed 
next  to  the  wall.  Bags  filled  with  straw,  sea  grass 
or  paper  serve  as  mattresses.  Each  prisoner  is 
supplied  with  two  blankets  and  these  are  thrown 
over  the  mattresses.  Every  available  space  is 
used  for  food  packages  and  clothes.    The  place 


THE  PARENT  CAMP  55 

has  a  dim,  confused,  unkempt  appearance  on  ac- 
count of  the  crowding  of  men,  the  arrangement  of 
the  bunks,  food  packages,  clothes,  etc.  At  one  end 
of  the  barrack  a  small  room  is  usually  walled  off 
for  the  noncommissioned  officers.  This  is  fur- 
nished with  cots  instead  of  the  usual  bunk  arrange- 
ment. In  prison  camps  where  a  single  layer  of 
bunks  for  bed  arrangement  is  made,  the  barrack 
has  a  much  brighter  and  more  cheerful  appear- 
ance. This  unfavorable  element  in  appearance 
of  the  camps  therefore  is  more  a  matter  of  the 
number  of  the  prisoners  than  any  particular  ele- 
ment or  condition  in  itself.  After  all  the  cleanli- 
ness of  the  barrack  is  dependent  on  the  men  them- 
selves and  their  noncommissioned  officers.  In 
the  camp  at  Soltau  for  example  where  the  con- 
struction and  appearance  of  the  camp  was  every- 
thing one  could  desire,  the  attention  of  the  pris- 
oner, noncommissioned  officers,  had  to  be  called 
to  the  slovenly  picture  presented,  due  to  their  own 
negligence  and  lack  of  control  of  their  men. 

The  barracks  were  as  a  rule  heated  by  stoves 
and  during  the  winter  months  in  some  of  the 
camps  the  cooking  of  the  food  packages  was  here 
permitted.  The  barracks  were  usually  lighted  by 
electricity ;  four  cubic  feet  of  air  content  per  man 
was  demanded  by  the  inspection.  In  each  camp* 
division  easily  accessible  to  the  barracks  a  long 
concrete  or  wooden  wash  tub  was  erected  for  pur- 
poses of  personal  cleansing  and  washing  clothes 
which  the  prisoner  of  war  is  expected  to  do  him- 


56     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

self.  (In  Gottingen  this  was  done  in  the  camp 
laundry.) 

In  addition  to  this  a  bathing  and  disinfecting 
establishment  was  located  in  a  separate  barrack 
building.  This  was  divided  into  a  disrobing  room 
where  a  group  of  the  prisoners  take  off  their 
clothes  which  were  then  tagged  and  passed  into 
a  large,  dry-heat  sterilizer  where  a  temperature 
of  110°  was  maintained  for  twenty  minutes. 
While  this  process  was  in  operation  the  men 
passed  into  a  second  long  room,  fitted  with  shower- 
baths  with  hot  and  cold  water.  After  a  thorough 
soaping  and  rinsing  the  men  then  passed  to  a 
third  room  on  the  other  side  of  the  sterilizer, 
where  they  received  their  sterilized  clothes  and 
emerged  from  the  establishment  thoroughly  clean 
and  free  from  vermin  and  other  carriers  of  dis- 
ease. Notwithstanding  this,  however,  it  was  not 
easy  for  the  prisoner  of  war  to  maintain  a  clean, 
soldierly  appearance  on  account  of  the  crowding 
of  the  barracks,  lack  of  facilities  for  keeping  the 
clothes,  and  in  Northern  Germany  the  dust  and 
in  wet  weather  the  mud  in  the  camps. 

Kitchens  were  in  a  separate  building,  as  a  rule, 
and  were  equipped  with  a  series  of  large  kettles 
in  which  the  food  was  prepared  in  the  form  of 
soup.  One  of  the  barracks  was  usually  given  over 
to  a  combination  of  religious  services  and  for  a 
theatre.  In  many  camps,  however,  separate  bar- 
racks were  assigned  for  religious  services  and 
for   entertainments.    A   part   of   the   camp   en- 


THE  PARENT  CAMP  57 

closure,  varying  in  extent,  was  kept  free  for  drills 
and  athletic  exercises.  Here  at  stated  periods  of 
the  day  the  men  were  permitted  to  play  football 
or  indulge  in  field  sports.  A  small  room  in  one 
of  the  barracks  or  in  the  administration  building 
was  assigned  for  use  as  a  library.  Books  sent  to 
the  prisoners  were  here  assembled,  and  one  of  the 
prisoners  assigned  to  the  duty  of  librarian. 

In  the  motley  array  of  French,  Russian,  British 
and  Servian  and  Colonial  troops  found  scattered 
through  the  camp,  marking  time,  was  found  the 
ever-present  German  guard.  The  members  of 
this  guard  were  either  members  of  the  Landstrum 
(or  older  class  of  reserves)  or  younger  men  phy- 
sically unfit  for  active  field  service.  The  num- 
ber of  the  guard  is  usually  one  tenth  of  the  num- 
ber of  the  prisoners. 

GUARDING   THE   CAMPS 

As  one  looks  up  from  almost  any  portion  of  the 
prison  camp  one  faces  a  tower  on  the  elevated 
platform,  on  which  guns  of  medium  caliber  are  so 
placed  as  to  cover  every  part  of  the  camp.  Camp 
guards  with  fixed  bayonets  appear  to  be  every- 
where present.  This  omnipresent  guard  with  his 
fixed  bayonet  is  found  with  every  group  of  pris- 
oners, either  inside  of  the  camp  or  detached  to 
do  duty  outside.  Much  depends  upon  the  attitude 
of  the  camp  officers  whether  the  guard  takes  an 
insolent,  insistent  attitude  or  whether,  on  the 
other  hand,  he  does  his  duty  as  a  matter  of  form. 


58     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

During  the  night,  when  every  prisoner  is  supposed 
to  be  in  bed  under  guard,  a  night  patrol,  consist- 
ing of  three  or  four  of  the  guard  under  a  non- 
commissioned officer,  makes  rounds  within  the 
camp.  Military  regulations  forbid  any  intimacy 
between  the  guard  and  the  prisoner  of  war  and 
any  communication  between  them,  except  to  give 
military  orders.  The  guarding  of  the  prisoners 
of  war,  however,  can  be  made  exceedingly  irritat- 
ing and  obnoxious  or  be  sympathetic  and  humane 
within  these  regulations.  Whether  it  is  the  one 
or  the  other  depends  entirely  upon  the  attitude  of 
the  commissioned  officer  in  charge.  A  nagging 
and  abusive  attitude  by  the  guard  sometimes  as- 
sociated with  actual  brutality  was  a  frequent 
source  of  complaint.  In  such  camps  the  matter 
of  a  formal  protest  was  always  made  to  the  com- 
mandant and  later  through  the  Foreign  Office  to 
the  Ministries  of  War.  In  some  cases  such 
guards  were  removed;  more  often,  however,  no 
action  was  taken,  but  the  mere  fact  of  a  rigid  in- 
spection with  a  complete  report  usually  led  the 
camp  authorities  to  the  elimination  of  rough 
handling  without,  however,  any  mental  change  in 
the  attitude  towards  the  prisoner. 

What  is  the  daily  life  of  the  prisoner  of  war? 
The  prisoner  of  war  goes  to  bed  at  night  with  a 
feeling  of  depression  and  uncertain  hopelessness, 
in  a  crowded  barrack  accentuated  in  a  few  camps 
by  the  presence  of  police  dogs,  rough  commands 
and  the  use  of  bayonets  and  with  insufficient  ven- 


THE  PARENT  CAMP  59 

tilation,  when  he  is  housed  with  French  and  Bus- 
sian  prisoners;  he  awakens  in  the  morning  into 
the  same  depressed  dirty  atmosphere  with  the 
guard  standing  by  with  a  fixed  bayonet  which 
again  may  be  used  to  help  the  tardy  ones  into 
promptness.  After  sufficient  time  for  washing  he 
draws  his  allowance  of  prison  bread  and  this  with 
a  cup  of  coffee  substitute  forms  his  breakfast. 
The  barrack  is  then  placed  in  order,  blankets  are 
folded  and  the  barrack  is  aired.  He  then  lounges 
listlessly  around  the  camp  until  ten  a.  m.  when 
the  camp  is  counted.  The  prisoners  are  lined  up 
in  military  formation  and  each  answers  to  his 
prison  number.  The  absence  of  a  prisoner  at  roll 
call  which  usually  indicates  a  successful  escape 
from  the  camp  means  thunder,  lightning,  turmoil, 
irritation  and  resentment  to  every  one  by  the 
military  authorities  from  the  commandant  down 
to  the  lowest  guard.  The  roll  call  usually  is  a 
simple  matter,  easily  completed  and  soon  over. 
While  an  escape  is  a  ''tragedy"  to  the  officers  of 
the  camp  it  is  the  one  gleam  of  hope  to  the  other 
prisoners  of  war.  The  roll  call  is  indefinitely  pro- 
longed until  the  exact  escaped  prisoner  is  located. 
I  have  now  a  mental  picture  of  several  thousand 
men  lined  up  on  a  hot  summer  day  in  company  for- 
mation on  a  parade  ground  of  the  hot,  dusty  camp, 
bored  and  amused  at  the  frantic  efforts  of  the  Ger- 
man officers,  sweating  and  fuming  and  sputtering 
in  their  efforts  to  locate  a  poor  lone  prisoner  who 
was  missing.    The  reflection  that  this  single  es- 


60     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

cape  makes  on  their  efficiency  makes  that  particu- 
lar day  miserable  for  every  German  soldier  and 
more  miserable  than  usual  for  every  prisoner  of 
war. 

After  roll  call  is  completed  most  of  the  prison- 
ers again  mark  time  until  the  noonday  meal.  This 
is  always  in  the  form  of  soup  and  is  brought  to  the 
barracks  by  a  detail  of  prisoners  in  large  cans. 
The  British  prisoner  takes  one  look  at  it,  sniffs, 
"Not  fit  for  a  dog  to  eat,"  he  says,  and  turns  to  a 
can  of  beef  or  ham  which  has  been  sent  to  him,  digs 
a  chunk  out  of  this  with  a  spoon  (knives  are  not 
permitted),  tears  it  to  pieces  with  his  fingers  and 
eats  it  with  the  bread  and  the  jam  from  his  pack- 
age. After  the  midday  meal  he  may  be  detailed  to 
clean  up  camp  or  may  spend  his  time  in  washing 
his  clothes.  In  the  afternoon  he  may  play  foot- 
ball or  other  simple  field  games  or  lounge  listlessly 
with  the  French  and  Bussian  prisoners  and  specu- 
late on  the  termination  of  the  war  or  the  varied 
fortunes  of  his  own  army.  The  cocksure  attitude 
of  his  guard,  the  swagger  of  the  commissioned  of- 
ficers, does  not  tend  to  lend  any  bright  color  to 
such  speculations,  and  so  until  the  evening  meal, 
which  again  may  be  soup  "not  fit  for  a  dog  to  eat," 
or  may  be,  as  it  usually  is,  some  pickled  fish,  "dead 
fish"  (it  needs  no  careful  inspection  to  tell  one 
this),  with  some  bread  and  at  times  some  potatoes. 
The  prisoner  looks,  takes  one  glance  at  this  "dead 
fish,"  but  never  disdains  potatoes,  and  turns  again 
to  his  can  of  meat  and  pot  of  marmalade  and  his 


THE  PARENT  CAMP  61 

loaf  of  white  bread  which  has  been  sent  to  him 
from  Switzerland.  A  desultory  game  of  cards 
after  the  evening  meal  and  the  tired,  loathsome 
day  has  gone  the  way  of  so  many,  ever  so  many, 
tired,  loathsome,  never-ending  days,  to  be  followed 
by  the  beginning  of  another  such  day  on  the  mor- 
row. The  optimism  of  the  French,  the  pessimism 
of  the  Eussian,  the  devil-may-care  attitude  of  the 
Irish,  the  fighting  spirit  of  the  British,  makes  little 
change  in  this  blue  atmosphere  of  never-ending, 
never-ending  depression.  It  is  not  the  depression 
of  the  jail,  the  criminal  knowing  and  deserving 
his  sentence ;  rather  is  it  a  modified  woe  of  calam- 
ity fallen  on  men  for  doing  what,  to  them,  was 
right,  what  was  even  more  than  right,  for  their 
God  and  country.  Utterly  helpless,  they  live  on 
from  day  to  day,  spurred  on  by  the  glittering  bay- 
onet and  hurt  in  their  manhood  and  souls  bv  the 
insolent  attitude,  the  superior  culture  of  their 
prison  keepers.  "How  long  do  you  think  the  war 
will  last?"  I  have  heard  this  question  asked  in 
many  places  and  under  varying  circumstances,  in 
the  clubs  in  America  and  England,  in  the  cafes  in 
Paris,  on  the  streets  of  all  cities,  from  women  in 
villages  in  France  near  the  battle  line  whose  sons 
were  in  danger  or  had  disappeared,  from  German 
officers  and  German  princes  (their  questions  al- 
ways denoted  the  hour  of  victory),  but  until  one 
has  heard  this  question  asked  in  prison  camps  by 
men  who  have  almost  given  up  the  hope  they  have 
lived  on  from  day  to  day,  one  will  never  realize  the 


62     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

full,  pregnant,  hidden  meaning  that  can  be  crowded 
into  these  six  words. 

Some  of  the  camps  are  much  better  than  this  pic- 
ture would  indicate  and  some  of  the  camps  are 
very  much  worse.  From  an  offhand  recollection, 
without  referring  to  records,  two  camps  stand  out 
in  my  memory  as  examples,  one  of  the  best,  the 
other  of  the  worst,  of  these  parent  camps.  The 
camps  at  Friedrichsfeld  and  at  Minden. 


CHAPTER  VI 

THE   CAMP   AT   FBIEDRICHSFELD 

I  HAVE  picked  out  the  camp  at  Friedrichsfeld, 
not  because  it  was  a  camp  of  the  best  or  most 
modern  construction,  because  it  was  not;  I 
went  to  this  camp  not  as  a  matter  of  routine  in- 
spection but  because  some  complaints  had  been 
made  about  it  by  transferred  or  interned  prison- 
ers. I  have  selected  it  as  one  of  the  best  camps  in 
Germany  on  account  of  the  attitude  of  the  com- 
mandant and  by  and  through  him  of  his  staff,  non- 
commissioned officers  and  guard.  While  the  com- 
mandant insisted  on  the  most  rigid  discipline 
throughout  the  camp,  his  intense  interest  in  the 
welfare  and  everything  that  pertained  to  the  pris- 
oners was  reflected  by  every  one  in  the  camp.  The 
camp  was  organized  with  the  prisoners  own  non- 
commissioned officers  assigned  to  full  duty  and 
control  of  their  own  men.  Only  two  British  pris- 
oners were  found  in  the  camp  jail,  and  both  of 
these  men  were  sentenced  to  a  period  of  two  weeks 
at  the  request  of  their  own  senior  noncommis- 
sioned officer.  This  trust  and  confidence  placed  in 
the  prisoners'  noncommissioned  officers  coupled 
with  this  strict  military  discipline,  the  practical 
kindly  attitude  of  the  commandant  and  his  staff, 

63 


64     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

make  the  atmosphere  of  this  camp  one  of  coopera- 
tion and,  if  not  contentment,  at  least  a  minimum 
of  discontent. 

The  camp  was  an  old  camp  with  antiquated  bar- 
racks, low  and  forbidding  looking,  and  with  rela- 
tively little  ventilation.  Changes  were,  however, 
made  in  these  barracks  which  made  them  com- 
fortable and  cheerful.  The  very  long  barracks 
were  divided  into  two  by  partitions,  reducing  them 
to  moderate  size,  a  wall  was  run  along  one  side  of 
the  barrack  and  partitions  erected  to  give  mod- 
erate-sized rooms.  On  these  partitions  lockers 
were  built  to  hold  the  clothes  and  food  packages. 
Instead  of  the  usual  bunk  system,  low  cots  made 
of  wood,  large  enough  to  hold  a  small  mattress  and 
the  two  blankets,  made  a  comfortable  bed  which 
could  be  easily  taken  out  in  the  air  for  cleansing 
or  piled  up  against  the  wall  during  the  day  to  give 
a  maximum  amount  of  floor  space. 

The  walls  of  these  barracks  were  whitewashed, 
as  were  likewise  the  long  corridors  left  at  one  side. 
In  this  corridor  facilities  for  washing,  basins,  etc., 
were  placed.  The  detailed  description  of  this 
camp,  with  the  conditions  met  with  at  the  time,  is 
as  follows : 

There  are  at  the  present  time  7,500  prisoners  of 
war  in  the  camp,  of  which  395  are  British.  There 
are  37,000  prisoners  of  war  attached  to  the  camp ; 
all,  with  the  exception  of  7,500,  are  in  working 
camps.  Nine  hundred  British  are  at  the  present 
time  in  working  camps. 


IS 


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s 
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THE  CAMP  AT  FRIEDRICHSFELD  65 

This  camp  is  located  on  sandy  soil  between  the 
Lippe  and  the  Bhein.  The  camp  was  one  of  the 
earliest  camps  constructed.  It  is  divided  into 
three  separate  camps,  designated  as  Camps  No.  1, 
2,  and  3,  within  the  same  enclosure.  These  camps 
are  arranged  as  battalions  in  the  general  form 
of  an  irregular  triangle.  Each  camp  has  ten 
large  double  barracks;  at  either  end  of  which  is 
a  water  pump,  with  a  large  permanent  laundry 
trough,  used  for  hand  laundry  and  washing  pur- 
poses. 

The  water  supply  is  drawn  from  isolated,  pro- 
tected wells  sunk  at  either  end  of  each  barrack. 

The  hospital  is  situated  in  a  separate  compound 
about  one-half  kilometer  from  the  camp.  The  gen- 
eral administration,  the  store  houses,  the  post 
office,  and  the  guard  are  all  housed  in  a  separate 
compound  at  the  entrance  to  the  camp.  The  quad- 
rangle has  an  unusually  large  amount  of  space, 
some  of  which  is  devoted  to  exercise,  etc.  The 
camp  is  tastefully  decorated  with  flower  beds  in 
front  of  each  barrack.  An  open  air  concert  hall 
has  just  been  completed  for  band  concerts.  In  ad- 
dition to  this,  there  is  a  theatre,  a  cinematograph 
barrack,  a  church  barrack,  a  photographic  studio, 
a  printing  office,  an  art  room,  a  physical-culture 
room,  a  school  for  language  study,  a  science  room 
and  a  large  barrack  devoted  to  the  re-education 
of  injured  prisoners,  which  will  be  described  in 
detail  later. 

The  kitchens  are  placed  at  one  end  of  the  long 


66     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

barracks  and  the  latrines  at  the  opposite  end  of 
the  camp. 

The  barracks  are  approximately  300  x  600  feet 
and  14  feet  high.  Each  barrack  has  14  large  win- 
dows and  16  ventilating  flues  in  the  roof.  The 
barracks  are  divided  by  a  closed  partition  into  two 
large  barracks  rooms.  Each  of  these  large  rooms 
is  subdivided  into  eight  smaller  rooms  by  parti- 
tions about  nine  feet  high.  A  hallway  is  left  at  one 
side  extending  the  length  of  the  barrack.  Each 
of  these  smaller  rooms  is  50  x  36  feet,  having  two 
windows  on  either  side  and  two  ventilating  flues. 
On  the  average,  40  men  are  housed  in  each  of 
these  rooms.  The  capacity  when  filled  is  55.  At 
the  end  of  each  barrack  two  smaller  rooms  are 
given  over  to  the  noncommissioned  officers.  In 
one  of  the  rooms  eight  Sergeants  are  housed,  and 
in  the  other  room  two  sergeant-majors.  Closets 
are  ''built  in"  on  the  partitions  around  the  bar- 
racks to  house  toilet  articles,  etc.;  clothes-racks 
are  placed  in  the  long  hall  for  wearing  apparel. 
Separate  wash  basins  for  the  men,  with  water 
pitchers,  are  placed  in  the  hall  for  each  room.  At 
the  entrance  of  each  barrack  a  barber  shop  with  a 
prisoner  of  war  barber  is  installed. 

The  interior  of  the  barracks  were  all  white- 
washed and  presented  a  clean  and  orderly  appear- 
ance. The  beds  are  made  up  in  cradles  made  of 
wood,  in  which  a  straw  mattress  is  placed,  these 
are  placed  on  each  other  against  the  wall,  giving  a 
large  area  of  free  space  for  tables,  benches,  etc. 


THE  CAMP  AT  FRIEDRICHSFELD  67 

These  bed  sacks  are  carried  out  into  the  sun  and 
thoroughly  aired  each  week. 

The  latrines  are  placed  at  the  far  end  of  the 
compound.  There  are  thirty  six  latrines  in  the 
camp.  These  are  of  two  kinds:  thirty  of  them 
are  of  the  concrete-cistern  type,  with  uncovered 
and  covered  seats ;  a  urinal  is  at  one  end.  These 
are  emptied  daily,  are  free  from  odor  and  excep- 
tionally clean.  The  other  type  is  a  concrete-cis- 
tern type  with  a  water  flushing  system  with  five 
covered  seats  and  a  separate  urinal.  These  were 
also  clean  and  in  good  condition. 

There  is  a  combined  bath  and  disinfection  plant. 
This  is  located  in  a  large  frame  building  with  a 
disrobing  room  equipped  with  steam  ovens  for  the 
disinfection  of  clothes ;  a  large  bathroom  furnished 
with  96  showers  with  hot  and  cold  water;  and  a 
dressing  room  on  the  other  side  of  the  disinfection 
room.  Baths  are  insisted  upon  once  per  week  and 
may  be  taken  oftener. 

There  are  twenty  kitchens  distributed  through- 
out the  camp.  Only  four  are  now  in  operation. 
Each  contains  four  kettles  and  a  range.  The 
kitchen  for  the  British  was  carefully  inspected.  It 
was  found  to  be  in  a  clean  and  orderly  condition. 
Two  British  were  found  in  this  kitchen  who  had 
charge  of  the  preparation  of  the  food,  which  is 
prepared  differently  for  the  French  and  English 
according  to  their  tastes. 

Sergeant  W.  J.  P.,  Irish  Rifles,  is  in  charge  of 
the  kitchen.    The  food  for  the  noon-day  meal  was 


68     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

ready  for  distribution.  It  consisted  of  a  soup 
made  of  white  beans,  potatoes,  cabbage,  maize 
grease  and  margarine.  We  tested  it  and  found 
it  to  be  of  good  flavor  and  palatable.  The  British 
cook  stated  that  all  food  stuffs  used  in  the  kitchen 
were  of  good  quality  and  that  practically  all  of  the 
British  partook  of  the  noon-day  meal. 

The  store  houses  were  inspected.  There  were 
three  separate  houses  for  storing  of  food  supplies. 
There  were  large  stores  of  new  potatoes,  head  let- 
tuce and  Kohlrabi.  We  inspected  and  tasted  the 
marmalade,  soja-meal,  dried  con-fish,  condensed 
milk,  and  bread,  all  of  which  were  found  to  be  of 
good  quality.  The  bread  is  now  made  without 
the  addition  of  potatoes. 

There  are  two  rooms,  in  one  of  which  clothing  of 
all  kinds,  shoes,  including  tennis  shoes,  tennis 
racquets,  toilet  articles,  watches,  wood  carving, 
and  art  utensils  were  sold ;  in  the  other  room  sar- 
dines, several  varieties  of  canned  vegetables  and 
canned  fruits,  herring,  marmalade,  meat  extracts, 
soft  drinks  and  wine  could  be  obtained  at  current 
prices.  In  a  separate  building  a  fair  grade  of  tea 
and  coffee  can  be  bought  for  five  pfennigs  per  pot 
(two  cents).  The  coffee  is  roasted  and  prepared 
in  the  camp. 

The  mail  arrives  regularly,  from  three  to  four 
weeks.  Parcels  also  arrive  regularly,  and  are  ex- 
peditiously handled.  Parcels  are  distributed  to 
the  barracks  on  the  day  of  arrival,  and  are  dis- 
patched to  working  camps  within  twenty  four 


THE  CAMP  AT  FRIEDRICHSFELD  69 

hours.  There  were  four  British  working  in  this 
department. 

All  the  British  had  sufficiently  good  clothes  and 
shoes.  The  care  and  distribution  of  clothes  to  the 
men  in  the  camp  and  in  working  camps  was  in 
charge  of  one  of  the  British  sergeant  majors. 

Foot  ball,  tennis,  and  field  sports  are  all  freely 
permitted  in  the  camp.  Theatrical  performances, 
in  which  the  British  take  an  active  part,  are  fre- 
quently given  in  a  well-equipped  theatre  barrack. 
Cinematograph  exhibitions  are  also  frequently 
given. 

There  are  two  infirmaries  in  the  main  camp. 
There  were  no  British  in  either  at  the  time  of  the 
inspection.  The  main  hospital  is  housed  in  a  large 
brick  building  and  ten  barrack  buildings.  A  well- 
equipped  operating  room  with  dispensary  room, 
etc.,  is  provided.  All  the  hospital  buildings  were 
found  to  be  clean,  well  ventilated,  and  the  patients 
were  satisfied  with  the  food  and  medical  attention. 
German  army  surgeons  take  care  of  the  men. 

A  physical  culture  room  is  fitted  up  with  special 
apparatus  for  the  correction  of  deformities.  It  is 
not  connected  with  the  hospital  system  and  is  in 
charge  of  a  French  prisoner  of  war. 

A  large  barrack  with  six  rooms  is  devoted  to 
the  re-education  of  wounded  soldiers.  At  the  time 
of  our  inspection  one  hundred  and  fifty  or  more 
prisoners  of  war  were  occupied  in  classes  in  book- 
binding, basket- weaving,  watchmaking,  wood  carv- 
ing, lithographic  printing,  typewriting,  shoe-mafc 


70     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

ing,  tailoring,  painting,  photography,  and  in  the 
usual  scholastic  exercises.  In  a  separate  building 
carpentering  and  black-smithing  were  also  taught. 
This  department  of  the  camp,  and  the  spirit  that 
prompted  it,  deserves  special  praise  and  commen- 
dation. 

The  men  are  requested  to  do  the  camp  work. 
The  noncommissioned  officers  in  the  camp  are  not 
required  to  work,  but  many  have  volunteered  for 
work  in  the  post  office,  kitchen,  etc. 

Rev.  Mr.  W occasionally  visits  the  camp. 

At  other  times  one  of  the  noncommissioned  offi- 
cers reads  the  services.  A  French  priest  who 
speaks  excellent  English,  holds  the  services  for  the 
French  and  English  Eoman  Catholics.  A  taste- 
fully decorated  barrack  is  set  aside  for  church  pur- 
poses. 

A  well  equipped  library  exists  in  this  camp.  In 
addition  to  this,  in  each  of  the  British  barracks  two 
book  shelves  piled  with  English  books,  are  placed 
in  the  hallways. 

The  British  requested  that  a  place  be  set  aside 
for  cooking  the  food  received  in  the  parcels  sent 
from  home.  During  the  winter  this  was  done  in 
the  barracks.  The  commandant  promised  that  a 
place  should  be  provided. 

Some  of  the  men  who  had  been  in  some  of  the 
working  camps  complained  that  their  clothes  had 
not  been  returned  to  the  parent  camp,  when  they 
left  the  working  camps.  There  was  some  question 
here  also  for  charge  for  alteration  of  clothes  sent 


THE  CAMP  AT  FRIEDRICHSFELD  71 

from  home  and  repairing  these.  The  comman- 
dant promised  to  make  an  immediate  investigation 
of  this  and  to  correct  it. 

While  the  camp  was  found  exceptionally  clean 
and  free  from  vermin,  it  was  found  difficult,  on  ac- 
count of  the  nature  of  the  soil,  to  keep  the  camp 
entirely  free  from  fleas.  Every  effort  is  being 
made  to  control  this  matter  and  a  new  method  is, 
now  being  tried  with  this  end  in  view. 

This  camp  in  spite  of  its  being  of  the  older  type 
of  construction,  has  been  so  remodelled  as  to  make 
it  very  comfortable.  There  is  a  splendid  organiza- 
tion of  the  camp,  and  every  effort  is  being  made  to 
make  the  men  comfortable,  guard  their  health,  give 
them  mental  and  physical  relaxation,  and  to  refit 
them  for  more  useful  work  in  the  future.  The 
health  of  the  men  is  good,  and  the  spirit  of  the 
men  towards  their  own  officers  and  the  camp  au- 
thorities is  exceptionally  good.  The  ranking  non- 
commissioned officer,  Sergeant  Major  P.  C , 

has  the  confidence  of  the  camp  authorities  and  his 
men,  and  deserves  mention  for  his  care  and  control 
of  the  men  in  his  camp. 

A  simple  perusal  of  these  notes  made  in  the  or- 
dinary routine  of  inspection  survey  gives  a  very 
good  idea  of  the  impression  this  camp  made  upon 
one  accustomed  to  view  camps  from  a  purely  scien- 
tific standpoint.  Too  much  cannot  be  said  in 
praise  of  the  commandant,  who  was  interested  not 
only  in  the  present  welfare  of  his  prisoners,  but 
was  also  concerned  with  their  future  field  of  use- 


72     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

fulness  after  the  termination  of  the  war.  One 
could  forgive  short  comings  in  other  directions  but 
none  appeared  to  exist.  The  atmosphere  of  the 
camp  hospital  situated  at  some  distance  from  the 
camp  was  kindly  and  sympathetic.  It  will  also  be 
noted  the  many  opportunities  for  physical  and 
mental  relaxation.  The  attitude  towards  the  taste 
of  the  prisoner  in  the  question  of  diet  was  consid- 
ered. This  was  one  of  the  few  camps  in  Germany 
where  the  prison  food  was  taken  by  practically  all 
the  British  prisoners.  There  was  the  usual  ab- 
sence of  complaints  about  the  food,  confirming  the 
statement  of  the  British  cook  in  the  kitchen  in  ref- 
erence to  the  same  matter.  The  school  for  the  re- 
education of  wounded  prisoners  compares  favor- 
ably if  it  does  not  surpass  similar  institutions  for 
the  re-education  of  wounded  soldiers  (not  prison- 
ers) in  France,  England  and  also  in  Germany. 
Each  department  was  in  charge  of  a  prisoner  of 
war,  who  acted  as  a  teacher  and  disciplinarian.  In 
other  camps  in  Germany  I  have  met  men  who 
requested  to  be  sent  back  to  this  camp  in  order  to 
continue  their  education  in  one  of  these  depart- 
ments. Yet,  notwithstanding  this,  this  camp  was 
reported  as  unsatisfactory  and  was  placed  on  the 
records  of  the  Red  Cross  Headquarters  in  London 
as  a  bad  camp. 

In  the  camp  at  Soltau  a  careful  inspection  with 
the  privilege  of  complaint  extended  to  every  man 
in  the  camp,  not  a  single  complaint  was  registered, 
except  in  reference  to  the  food  and  as  to  the  rate 


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THE  CAMP  AT  FRIEDRICHSFELD  73 

of  exchange.  And  yet  there  was  no  comparison 
between  the  two  camps.  While  the  camp  at  Soltau 
was  a  newly  constructed  camp  with  a  much  more 
modern  type  of  barrack,  etc.,  and  while  the  men 
were  well  housed  and  well  cared  for,  there  was  not 
that  kindly,  humane  sympathy  that  took  cogni- 
zance not  only  of  the  present  needs,  but  considered 
the  future  and  led  to  a  definite  effort  to  relieve  the 
mental  stress  of  confinement  and  to  eliminate  the 
worry  as  to  the  future.  The  same  can  be  said  in 
a  general  way  of  the  camp  at  Parchim.  Here  were 
found  three  brothers,  civilians  interned,  who  were 
given  the  privilege  of  being  transferred  from  this 
prison  camp  to  the  Euhleben,  but  who  preferred  to 
remain  on  account  of  the  attitude  of  kindly  welfare 
of  the  commandant  and  his  staff  towards  them  and 
the  other  prisoners. 

What  the  commandant  at  the  camp  at  Fried- 
richsfeld  was  doing  for  the  prisoners  of  war  was 
well  known  in  the  other  army  corps.  It  was  an 
example  which  could  have  been  followed  in  every 
prison  camp  in  Germany.  Notwithstanding  the 
food  blockade,  it  was  here  proven  possible  for  Ger- 
many to  have  set  an  example  for  the  rest  of  the 
world  in  a  constructive  as  it  has  in  a  destructive 
military  problem. 

It  would,  indeed,  for  one  trained  as  a  student  in 
German  universities,  be  a  pleasant  duty  to  be  able 
to  report  that  all  the  German  prison  camps  had  the 
atmosphere  of  Friedrichsfeld  or  even  without  the 
spirit  of  this  camp,  that  they  approached  the  stand- 


74     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

ard  set  at  Parchim,  Soltau,  Dulmen,  Wahn,  Wuns- 
dorf,  and  many  other  German  parent  camps,  or 
that  the  problem  of  the  enlisted  men  should  have 
been  approached  in  the  same  spirit  as  that  of  the 
officers,  prisoners  of  war,  concerning  whom  cer- 
tainly after  the  first  year  of  the  war  there  could  be 
no  valid  complaint.  The  contrast  between  the 
above  named  camps  and  those  at  Minden,  Limburg, 
Wittenberg,  Schneidemuhl,  Langensalzen,  etc.,  was 
the  difference  between  day  and  night,  between 
heaven,  relatively,  and  hell,  absolutely.  Between 
these  two  extremes  existed  a  series  of  camps  such 
as  those  at  Muchendorf,  Alten-Grabow,  Giessen, 
Dyrotz,  etc.,  where  conditions  were  neither  good 
nor  very  bad,  yet  presented  certain  elements  which 
gave  more  than  reasonable  ground  for  complaint, 
both  on  the  part  of  the  prisoners  and  the  Embassy. 
It  is  difficult  to  estimate  the  exact  proportions  of 
good  and  bad  camps.  One  might  say  in  a  general 
way  that  the  average  was  relatively  good  consider- 
ing the  difficulties  of  the  situation  and  the  size  of 
the  problem  to  be  faced;  and  were  it  not  for  the 
problem  of  the  working  camp  to  be  discussed  later, 
and  were  we  to  consider  only  the  parent  camps  and 
the  officer  camps,  the  verdict  would  be  in  a  general 
way  "not  guilty"  to  the  charge  of  inefficiency,  de- 
liberate or  intentional  cruelty  in  the  handling  of 
this  problem.  One  might  go  even  further  and  say 
that  taking  the  problem  as  a  whole  and  for  the  ma- 
jority of  the  camps,  it  was  fairly  well  administered, 
and  in  some  of  the  camps  exceptionally  well  done. 


THE  CAMP  AT  FRIEDRICHSFELD  75 

The  attitude,  however,  towards  the  prisoner  when 
the  working  camp  problem  was  interjected,  throws 
much  light  on  many  problems  and  explains  the  un- 
derlying factors  of  many  of  the  faults  which  might 
otherwise  in  a  charitable  way  be  explained  as  neg- 
ligence, so  to  speak,  due  to  inefficiency.  I  know 
that  my  own  point  of  view,  my  attitude  at  the  pres- 
ent time,  after  deliberate  consideration,  free  from 
a  hostile  atmosphere,  has  largely  been  determined 
by  these  ulterior  considerations.  My  considera- 
tions, therefore,  of  the  problem  of  some  of  the 
worst  types  of  camp  must  be  taken  into  consider- 
ation and  be  explained  by  the  material  in  the  chap- 
ter on  working  camps. 


CHAPTER  ^11 

THE  camp:  at  minden 

WHILE  much  publicity  has  been  given  to  the 
camp  at  Wittenberg,  I  will  consider 
first  of  all  the  problem  of  the  camp  at  Minden, 
for  the  simple  reason  that  while  there  might  be 
some  excuse  to  offer  for  Wittenberg,  no  excuse 
was  offered  or  presented  for  the  conditions  found 
at  Minden.  Following  the  course  of  the  preced- 
ing chapter,  I  will  present  my  notes  made  at  the 
time  of  the  inspection  of  this  camp  and  discuss  it 
later. 

There  are  in  the  camp  8,682  prisoners  of  war, 
of  whom  615  are  British,  and  of  the  British,  357 
are  noncommissioned  officers. 

This  camp  has  been  described  in  previous  re- 
ports. The  camp  is  arranged  in  a  block  system, 
with  the  barracks  of  each  block  arranged  in  such 
a  way  as  to  form  a  square  with  an  open  area  in  the 
court  of  about  one  hundred  metres  square.  There 
are  five  blocks.  As  arranged  at  the  present  time 
each  block  is  completely  separated  from  the  other 
blocks.  The  prisoners  of  war  in  each  block  are 
absolutely  limited  to  this  block  area,  are  not  per- 
mitted outside  of  it,  and  as  the  barracks,  except  for 

the  small  gateway,  completely  enclose  this  area, 

76 


THE  CAMP  AT  MINDEN  77 

there  is  no  opportunity  to  see  anything  other  than 
the  four  barrack  brick  walls  and  the  open  sky 
above.  There  are  no  trees  or  shade  in  this  area, 
and  the  outlook,  or  rather  inlook,  is  dismal.  In 
Block  I,  where  the  enlisted  men  are  confined,  a  few 
flowers  are  grown  in  the  window  tops  of  the  bar- 
racks, but  in  Block  V,  where  the  noncommissioned 
officers  are  confined,  there  is  not  even  evidence  of 
this.  The  surface  area  is  of  hard  yellow  clay  with- 
out any  grass  or  other  evidence  of  vegetation.  In 
the  space  in  this  court,  which  is  not  taken  up  with 
the  kitchen,  latrines,  etc.,  the  men  play  football. 

The  British  are  housed  in  the  long  barracks 
forming  the  walls  of  the  square.  These  barracks 
are  old  and  dingy,  are  of  the  hut  type  with  slightly 
inclined  roof,  from  front  to  rear,  and  are  approx- 
imately 100  feet  x  50;  with  an  average  ceiling 
height  of  approximately  16  feet.  There  are 
twenty  four  windows  in  the  front  of  the  barrack, 
with  four  small  openings  one  by  two  feet  at  the 
rear  of  the  barrack,  with  two  stove  pipe  openings 
in  the  roof.  The  British  complained  that  the  roof 
leaked  during  the  month  that  they  had  been  in- 
terned there.  An  inspection  of  the  roof  showed 
places  where  the  men  had  packed  boxes  against 
the  roof  over  their  beds  to  keep  out  the  leaking 
water.  The  attention  of  the  commandant  and  the 
inspection  officer  from  the  Inspection  for  Pris- 
oners of  War,  7th  Army  Corps  at  Munster,  was 
called  to  this,  and  the  commandant  stated  that  the 
roofs  required  constant  attention  and  the  applica- 


78     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

tion  of  tar  to  keep  them  water-tight.  This  was 
being  done  at  the  time  of  our  inspection.  The  beds 
are  of  the  double  tier,  built-in,  bunk  type,  supplied 
with  straw  or  excelsior  mattresses,  and  two  blan- 
kets to  each.  Much  of  the  material  of  the  mat- 
tresses was  badly  worn  and  pulverized,  and  some 
of  the  bedding  was  very  dirty.  In  Block  I,  Bar- 
rack No.  35,  180  were  housed,  of  whom  33  were 
British  enlisted  men.  The  numbers  of  men  per 
barrack  in  Block  V  appeared  to  be  greater  than 
this,  but  the  exact  number  could  not  be  obtained. 

There  are  two  long  latrines  in  each  block.  They 
are  of  the  trench  type,  lined  with  wood,  open  bar 
system,  uncovered,  no  seats,  emptied  each  day  (ac- 
cording to  the  camp  authorities).  At  the  time  of 
the  inspection  they  were  partially  filled  and  did 
not  present  an  unusually  objectionable  odor.  The 
men  complained  that  the  trenches  were  not  emp- 
tied oftener  than  once  a  week,  and  that  the  odor 
from  them  was  objectionable. 

A  long  urinal,  approximately  100  feet  in  length, 
of  the  open  trough  type  of  wood,  was  attached  to 
the  wall  in  the  open,  without  housing,  was  heavily 
incrusted  with  deposit  and  presented  a  strong  odor 
and  filthy  appearance. 

In  a  barrack  building  in  the  middle  of  the  block 
is  a  bath,  equipped  with  14  showers  (hot  and  cold 
water) ;  a  dressing  room  adjoins  the  bath  room. 
This  building  was  found  to  be  in  a  clean  and  or- 
derly condition. 

In  another  building  in  the  centre  of  the  square 


THE  CAMP  AT  MINDEN  79 

sufficient  facilities  for  washing  and  hand  laundry 
are  supplied  by  three  long  oblong  tubs,  each  fur- 
nished with  twenty  seven  spigots.  This  room  was 
kept  clean  and  orderly. 

The  kitchen  is  housed  in  a  large  barrack  building 
in  the  outside  group  of  each  block.  It  is  clean,  or- 
derly and  in  good  condition.  Each  kitchen  is 
equipped  with  seventeen  kettles  and  two  ranges. 
Two  British  prisoners  of  war  are  employed  in  each 
kitchen.  These  men  stated  that  the  raw  food 
stuffs  supplied  to  the  kitchen  were  of  good  quality. 
The  midday  meal  on  the  day  of  inspection  was 
tasted  by  one  of  us  (Taylor).  It  consisted  of 
meat,  sauerkraut  and  potatoes.  It  was  very  thin 
in  potatoes  and  meat.  The  sauerkraut  was  of  fair 
quality  and  of  normal  taste. 

The  bread  is  the  regular  Kriegs-Brot  of  normal 
quality;  the  ration  being  three  hundred  grammes' 
per  day,  per  man.  The  British  employed  in  the 
kitchen  stated  that  approximately  one  fourth  of 
the  British  prisoners  of  war  took  the  midday  meal 
and  from  a  quarter  to  a  third  drew  the  bread  ra- 
tion. The  men  were  permitted  to  cook  the  food  in 
the  packages  received  from  home,  in  one  of  two 
long  open  air  ranges  in  the  middle  of  the  block. 
One  kettle  in  the  kitchen  is  reserved  for  warming 
up  tin  foods. 

The  canteen  is  housed  in  the  kitchen  building. 
Wine,  alcohol-free  beer,  soft  drinks,  various  and 
sundry  toilet  articles  and  tobacco  are  on  sale. 

The  infirmary,  fifty  by  thirty  five  feet,  with  eight 


80     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

windows,  in  which  fifteen  cot  beds  were  placed,  was 
inspected  in  Block  V.    A  British  prisoner  of  war, 

Private  ,  had  been  confined  to  this  barrack 

for  six  weeks,  suffering  from  convulsive  seizures 
following  an  old  injury  of  the  head.  This  man 
had  been  investigated  by  the  X-Ray  and  nothing 
abnormal  found.  At  our  request,  this  man  is  to 
be  removed  to  a  hospital  where  his  case  can  be 
more  carefully  studied  and  proper  treatment  in- 
stituted. Complaints  were  registered  in  both 
Blocks  I  and  V,  that  men  were  punished  by  con- 
finement in  Straf-Barracken,  or  punishment  bar- 
racks, for  reporting  ill  to  sick  call.  These  men 
were  confined  in  the  Straf-Barracken  at  the  time  of 
our  visit  who,  as  far  as  they  knew,  were  there  for 
this  reason. 

In  Block  I,  Private  H.  T complained  that  he 

was  ordered  to  rest  up  by  the  doctor  for  some  heart 
trouble.  He  stated  that  he  remained  in  the  bar- 
racks under  the  doctor's  orders  and  for  this  he  was 
sent  to  the  arrest  barracks  for  ten  days. 

Private  B stated  that  he  was  working  in  a 

camp  at  Bockhurst,  that  he  was  ill  with  rheuma- 
tism, but  the  guard  would  not  permit  him  to  see  a 
doctor.  He  was  returned  to  this  camp  (Minden) 
and  placed  in  the  jail  barrack  for  fourteen  days. 
At  the  end  of  two  days  of  this  sentence  he  was  so 
ill  that  he  had  to  be  taken  out  of  the  prison  dark- 
cell  by  order  of  the  camp  doctor  and  sent  to  the 
hospital. 

In  Block  V,  Sergeant  C complained  that  he 


THE  CAMP  AT  MINDEN  81 

could  not  get  proper  medical  attention  or  cotton 
to  care  for  running  ears. 

Sergeant  W.  E complained  that  he  did  not 

procure  proper  medical  attention  for  pains  in  the 
head  and  treatment  or  the  necessary  methods  of 
cleansing  the  socket  from  which  the  right  eye  had 
been  removed,  and  that  he  feared  loss  of  sight  in 
the  remaining  eye,  which  was  giving  him  trouble. 
At  the  time  of  inspection  there  was  an  accumula- 
tion of  purulent  matter  in  and  about  the  eye  socket, 
and  it  was  evidently  in  need  of  attention  with  some 
cleansing  solution.  It  was  evident  that  the  eye 
had  been  neglected,  as  any  one  could  see  on  inspec- 
tion that  it  needed  treatment. 

Sergeant  W.  M claimed  that  an  operation 

for  hemorrhoids  was  refused  if  he  would  not 
agree  to  volunteer  for  work;  that  he  finally  con- 
sented and  an  operation  was  performed,  and  his 
name  was  placed  on  the  working  list.  He  asked  to 
have  his  name  removed  as  he  might  be  compelled 
to  go  to  a  working  camp  at  any  time.  When  this 
case  was  investigated  it  was  found  that  there  was 
evidently  a  misunderstanding  on  account  of  poor 
interpreting.  The  doctor  stated  to  him  that  an 
operation  was  not  necessary  unless  he  were  going 
to  do  hard  work.  But  he,  misunderstanding  this, 
and  wishing  relief,  agreed  to  work  and  his  name 
was  placed  on  the  list.  Accepting  the  statements 
of  both  sides,  it  is  only  fair  to  have  this  name  re- 
moved. 

In  each  barrack  the  men  complained  in  a  general 


82     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

way  that  if  they  reported  ill  they  were  likely  to  be 
punished. 

The  camp  lazarett  was  visited  and  only  a  few 
men  of  the  198  British  there  were  from  this  camp. 

The  others  were  brought  there  from  the  front. 

This  will  be  considered  later  in  this  report. 

Packages  and  letters  come  irregularly.  Two 
British  were  employed  in  the  post  office  and  two 
in  the  parcel  post. 

The  men  were  compelled  to  do  the  necessary 
camp  work. 

All  the  British  had  sufficient  good  clothes  and 
shoes. 

There  is  no  library  in  this  camp. 

The  punishment  barrack  was  visited.  It  is  an 
empty  barrack  room  in  Block  3,  which  contains  no 
other  prisoners  at  the  present  time.  Five  Brit- 
ish were  confined  here.  Two  of  these  were  con- 
fined for  refusing  to  work.     The  other  three  men, 

Privates  W ,  Q ,  and  J ,  stated  that 

they  did  not  know  why  they  were  being  punished, 
and  had  done  nothing  to  warrant  their  confinement 
except  to  report  sick.  One  of  these  claimed  that 
his  case  had  been  diagnosed  in  the  hospital  as 
chronic  tuberculosis  of  the  lungs,  and  that  he  now 
has  the  symptoms  of  that  disease. 

This  barrack  has  a  barbed  wire  barrier  in  front 
of  the  door.  A  sentry  is  stationed  in  the  barrack, 
and  the  men  are  not  supplied  with  blankets  or  mat- 
tresses, but  must  sleep  on  the  bare  floor  in  their 
clothes.    They  are  not  permitted  to  have  their 


THE  CAMP  AT  MINDEN  83 

packages,  and  must  subsist  on  the  camp  food. 
They  are  not  permitted  a  change  of  clothes.  Not- 
withstanding the  above,  the  commandant  stated 
that  these  men  were  not  under  arrest  and  when  a 
statement  was  requested  as  to  why  the  above  three 
men  did  not  know  why  they  were  confined  there, 
no  one  seemed  able  to  explain  the  matter  or  to  give 
us  any  information  concerning  it. 

Complaints  were  made  in  both  Blocks  I  and  V, 
that  police  dogs  were  brought  into  the  barrack 
rooms  at  night  and  cleared  the  barracks  so  that 
men  had  to  be  in  bed  before  the  dogs  were  brought 
in.  The  dogs  were  kept  in  the  square  at  night. 
The  men  stated  that  the  dogs  were  set  loose  in 
the  barrack  rooms. 

Sergeant  W.  H was  attacked  by  one  of  these 

dogs  in  the  night  of  July  2nd,  as  he  crossed  this 
square  returning  to  his  barrack  from  the  latrine. 
He  exhibited  his  leg,  which  bore  the  recent  scars 
where  he  had  been  bitten.  The  commandant  made 
the  statement  that  this  case  had  been  reported  to 
him  by  the  guard,  who  reported  that  the  dog  had 
broken  the  leash  and  had  attacked  the  prisoner  of 

war.     H stated  in  contradiction  to  this  that  he 

did  not  hear  any  one  until  he  was  attacked  but  that 
shortly  after  the  guard  appeared  and  called  the 

dog  off.    The  dog,  from  H 's  statement,  was 

loose  in  the  compound.  He  was  taken  to  the  in- 
firmary and  the  wounds  given  treatment  imme- 
diately. 

In  explanation  of  the  necessity  for  the  presence 


84    THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

and  use  of  the  dogs  in  the  camp,  the  commandant 
stated  that  attempts  at  escape  by  tunneling  were 
so  frequent  that  the  dogs  were  trained  to  detect 
men  in  this  act.  He  stated  that  at  night  they  were 
taken  into  the  barrack  rooms  and  sent  under  all  the 
bunks,  and  they  were  then  taken  out  and  sent 
through  openings  under  the  barracks  to  detect  any 
such  attempts.  He  stated,  in  contradiction  to  the 
men,  that  the  dogs  were  always  held  in  leash,  and 
not  permitted  to  run  free.  A  strong  protest  was 
made  by  us  to  the  use  of  the  animals  inside  the 
camp  both  to  the  commandant  and  the  inspection 
officer  from  the  Inspection  for  Prisoners  of  War  of 
the  7th  Army  Corps. 

Complaint  was  made  by  the  three  Sergeants  Ma- 
jors (British)  that  all  the  British  noncommis- 
sioned officers  in  Block  V  were  compelled  to  drill 
twice  a  week  for  one  hour,  and  then  to  march  for 
an  hour,  taking  commands  from  a  German  private 
in  German,  which  they  were  compelled  to  learn  and 
obey.  They  stated  that  they  would  not  have  so 
much  objection  to  carrying  out  the  drill  if  the 
commands  were  given  by  a  German  noncommis- 
sioned officer,  or  if  they  (the  sergeant  majors) 
were  given  the  word  of  command  and  transmitted 
it  to  the  men.  The  influence  of  the  Sergeant  Ma- 
jors over  their  men  was  undermined  in  this  way 
and  considerable  friction  had  developed  because 
the  sergeants  and  corporals  had  difficulty  in  under- 
standing the  German  commands  even  when  an 
interpreter  was  present  to  translate  them.    [When 


THE  CAMP  AT  MINDEN  85 

this  matter  was  taken  up,  it  was  stated  that  a  Ger- 
man common  soldier  outranks  any  officer  prisoner 
of  war  in  the  camp  when  carrying  out  orders,  and 
that  no  indignity  was  intended;  that  the  drilling 
was  necessary  in  order  to  teach  the  noncommis- 
sioned officers  military  attitude,  carriage,  and  re- 
spect to  higher  rank.  The  noncommissioned  of- 
ficers stated  that  they  considered  this  drill  as  a 
punishment  for  their  refusal  to  volunteer  for  work. 

Complaint  was  made  by  a  number  of  men  that 
the  rate  of  exchange  for  money  was  lower  than  the 

market  rate.    Sergeant  G.  R made  a  special 

complaint  that  he  was  offered  M.  20.33  in  exchange 
for  a  money  order  for  £1.  He  declined  to  take  this 
and  requested  that  the  money  order  be  returned  to 
the  sender  in  Great  Britain.  The  camp  authorities 
declined  to  do  this  and,  on  his  refusal  to  sign  a  re- 
ceipt, deposited  the  20.33  Marks  to  his  credit.  We 
were  told  that  this  was  a  matter  of  military  regula- 
tion and  that  nothing  could  be  done. 

Complaint  was  made  that  many  of  the  noncom- 
missioned officers  were  suffering  from  the  result 
of  old  wounds  and  were  not  in  condition  for  work, 
and  for  that  reason  should  not  be  confined  to  this 
camp.  The  commandant  stated  that  the  chief  med- 
ical officer  of  the  camp  had  examined  all  these  men 
and  had  reported  them  fit  for  work. 

Some  ten  noncommissioned  officers  had  been 
removed  to  this  camp  from  places  where  they  were 
already  at  work,  more  particularly  those  from  the 
officers  camp  at  Gutersloh,  and  resented  the  trans- 


86     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

fer,  but  were  not  willing  to  again  volunteer  for 
work,  when  the  offer  was  made  in  our  presence. 
Special  Report  on  the  Lazarette.  (Hospital.) 
The  lazarette  of  this  camp  is  situated  outside  of 
the  camp  in  a  separate  compound.  It  is  composed 
of  six  wooden  camp  barracks,  simple  gable  type, 
each  approximately  180  by  40  feet,  12  feet  high 
with  20  windows  on  each  side  and  12  ventilators. 
Each  barrack  is  divided  into  two  rooms  by  a  parti- 
tion at  the  end  of  each  barrack.  When  this  hos- 
pital was  inspected,  it  was  found  that  the  hospital 
barracks  were  overcrowded.  The  beds  were  ar- 
ranged in  most  of  the  barracks  in  double  rows,  i.e., 
four  rows  of  beds  in  each,  filled  for  the  most  part 
with  badly  wounded  men,  transported  almost  di- 
rectly from  the  battle  line  to  this  hospital.  These 
wounded  men  were  held  at  a  field  hospital  for  a 
period  of  time,  varying  from  a  few  days  to  a  week, 
and  then  transported  directly  here  by  ambulance 
railway  train.  In  other  words  this  temporary, 
crudely  constructed  camp  lazarette  intended  for 
the  incidental  case  of  illness  of  prisoners  of  war, 
and  without  the  equipment  in  the  nature  of  oper- 
ating rooms,  dressing  rooms,  special  apparatus, 
nursing  staff,  etc.,  was,  practically  without  any 
preliminary  notice,  transformed  into  a  first  base 
hospital.  A  large  number  of  the  men  are  severely 
wounded,  several  of  them  at  the  time  of  inspec- 
tion critically  ill,  two  practically  in  a  dying  condi- 
tion, and  all  of  them,  in  our  opinion,  with  insuffi- 
cient nursing  attention.     It  was  stated  by  one  of 


THE  CAMP  AT  MINDEN  87 

the  orderlies  that  some  of  these  patients  had  devel- 
oped bedsores.  Inasmuch  as  we  are  not  allowed 
to  examine  patients  or  to  interrogate  them  as  to 
these  matters,  this  statement  must  be  taken  reserv- 
edly. The  nursing  is  done  by  hospital  orderlies. 
There  are  no  women  trained  nurses  in  the  place. 
Many  of  the  patients  had  fever,  some  of  them 
having  temperatures  as  high  as  103°F-104°F. 
The  diet  was  complained  of  by  these  very  sick  pa- 
tients. They  stated  they  could  not  take  it.  The 
convalescent  patients,  on  the  other  hand,  com- 
plained that  they  did  not  have  sufficient  food. 

There  are  a  relatively  large  number  of  eye  cases, 
five  or  six,  who  ought  to  have  the  services  of  a 
trained  eye  specialist. 

Five  deaths  have  occurred  in  this  group  of 
wounded.  Four  of  these  have  been  from  tetanus 
and  a  fifth  severe  case  of  tetanus  is  now  under 
treatment. 

The  only  explanation  of  the  crowding  of  the 
wards,  with  some  empty  half-barracks  without 
beds  is  evidently  a  question  of  nursing  and  care 
with  the  present  staff. 

An  English  noncommissioned  officer  is  present 
in  the  hospital  as  interpreter.  The  senior  non- 
commissioned officers  at  the  camp  requested  per- 
mission to  be  assigned  to  the  camp  to  help.  This 
was  refused.  The  noncommissioned  officer  inter- 
preter at  the  camp  requested  permission  to  get  in 
touch  with  the  men  in  Blocks  I  and  V  in  order  to 
secure  food  from  packages.    This  had  been  denied 


88     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

but  would  be  granted,  dependent  on  the  permission 
of  the  chief  medical  officer  in  each  case. 

Sergeant  M ,  a  lay  reader  of  the  Church  of 

England,  interned  in  Block  V,  had  requested  per- 
mission to  visit  the  sick  and  dying  prisoners  in  or- 
der to  give  them  religious  consolation,  or  to  help 
in  the  hospital.  This  was  refused.  On  taking  this 
up  with  the  commandant  the  latter  eventually  con- 
sented to  permit  Sergeant  M to  visit  the  hos- 
pital to  attend  those  seriously  ill,  but  stated  that 
full  consent  to  visit  the  men  in  the  hospital  would 
not  be  granted  until  his  ecclesiastical  credentials 
had    been    submitted    and    approved.     Sergeant 

M stated  that  a  certificate  as  a  lay  reader  had 

been  issued  to  him  by  the  Bishop  of  London  but 
that  he  did  not  have  it  with  him.  This  matter,  we 
have  been  informed  by  the  inspector  at  Munster, 
was  under  investigation  at  the  time  of  our  visit. 

Throughout  the  inspection  of  the  above  camp  we 
were  accompanied  by  the  commandant  and  his 
staff,  and  by  a  staff  officer  from  the  Inspection  of 
Prisoners  of  War  at  the  7th  Army  Corps  at  Mun- 
ster. All  of  the  above  matters  complained  of  were 
taken  up  and  investigated  at  the  time  by  the  above 
officers,  and  the  undersigned  and  the  notice  here 
reported  taken  from  this  joint  investigation. 

In  a  letter  accompanying  this  report  it  is  stated 
in  contrasting  this  camp  with  the  one  at  Dulmen 
and  Friedrichsfeld  that: 

1 '  The  camp  at  Minden  could,  on  the  other  hand, 
be  used  as  a  model  of  what  a  camp  for  prisoners  of 


An  interesting  pair  of  Serbian  prisoners 


THE  CAMP  AT  MINDEN  89 

war  ought  not  to  be.  It  is  built  in  a  relatively  un- 
healthy location,  of  poor  general  plan,  and  as  ad- 
ministered, is  more  of  an  actual  prison  for  the 
men,  more  particularly  the  non-commissioned  offi- 
cers, than  the  jail  at  Cologne,  without  any  of  the 
redeeming  features  of  the  latter.  The  attitude  to- 
wards the  prisoners  of  war  it  not  only  not  sympa- 
thetic, but,  on  the  contrary,  a  hard  attitude  of  sus- 
picion and  repression  that  appears  to  us  to  verge 
on  real  intentional  cruelty.  The  locking  up  of 
these  men  in  blocks  without  opportunity  for  men- 
tal relaxation,  etc.,  is  likely,  if  persisted  in,  to  have 
serious  results  in  the  mental  tone  and  attitude  of 
these  prisoners,  and  may  eventually  lead  to  a  mu- 
tinous attitude  on  the  part  of  the  men,  for  which  if 
it  should  occur,  the  authorities  would  have  only 
themselves  to  thank. 

i 'It  appears  to  us  that  notwithstanding  the  rea- 
sons given  in  the  report  on  Minden  for  certain 
regulations  such  as  the  drill  of  the  noncommis- 
sioned officers,  the  revision  of  barracks,  the  refusal 
to  let  the  men  have  matches,  soap,  etc.,  the  real 
spirit  of  such  regulations  is  to  force  the  noncom- 
missioned officers  to  volunteer  for  work  and  to  pun- 
ish them  if  they  do  not. 

"We  can  see  no  reason  why  the  noncommis- 
sioned officers  should  not  be  placed  in  a  camp  by 
themselves  if  they  refuse  or  if  they  encourage 
others  by  their  example,  but  we  cannot  see  any 
reason  why  they  should  not  be  treated  in  such 
camps  as  noncommissioned  officer  prisoners  of 


90     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

war  instead  of  as  criminals.  In  other  words,  they 
ought  to  have  that  amount  of  liberty,  mental  and 
physical  relaxation  and  occupation  necessary  for 
good  mental  and  physical  health.  And  all  this 
notwithstanding  an  effort  to  keep  these  reports  so 
well  within  the  truth  as  to  be  more  than  fair  and 
notwithstanding  the  fact  that  a  copy  of  such  a  re- 
port was  automatically  sent  to  the  German  Minis- 
try of  War,  and  by  them  through  the  army  corp 
commander  to  the  commandant  of  the  camp.  Ac- 
cording to  the  Hague  Convention,  officers  are  not 
compelled  to  work.  There  was  a  tacit  agreement 
that  noncommissioned  officers  would  be  included  in 
this  arrangement  in  order  to  protect  their  own  non- 
commissioned officers  in  France  and  Eussia,  Italy 
and  England,  they  would  not  compel  or  order  non- 
commissioned officers  of  the  grade  of  sergeant  ma- 
jor, sergeant  or  corporal  to  work.  They  were 
asked  to  volunteer  for  work  and  if  they  refused  to 
do  so,  they  were  confined  in  camps  such  as  that  at 
Minden.  The  camp  at  Minden  was  deliberately 
selected  on  account  of  the  block  system  and  for  the 
opportunities  there  presented  for  making  the  lives 
of  the  men  so  miserable  that  they  would  prefer 
anything  to  this.  They  did  not  calculate,  however, 
on  the  fighting  spirit  of  the  British  and  the  French 
noncommissioned  officer.  This  camp  is  in  contra- 
vention to  the  Hague  Convention  that  "the  pris- 
oner of  war  can  only  be  confined  as  an  indispen- 
sable minimum  of  safety." 
It  was  used  as  a  prison  in  which  was  added  bru- 


THE  CAMP  AT  MINDEN  91 

tal  treatment  by  the  guards  and  an  attitude  to- 
wards the  sick  prisoner  in  the  camp  which  is  inde- 
fensible even  from  a  prison  standpoint.  It  may  be 
stated  also  that  this  attitude  was  not  only  extended 
to  the  prisoners,  but  in  a  way  included  the  Inspec- 
tion Service  of  the  American  Embassy.  Every 
attempt  to  communicate  with  the  prisoner  alone 
was  met  by  an  attempt  on  the  part  of  some  Ger- 
man interpreter  to  sneak  sufficiently  close  to  over- 
hear conversation.  This  even  went  so  far  that  an 
attitude  of  contempt  and  sneering  suspicion  on  the 
part  of  one  of  the  commanding  officers  of  the  com- 
mandant's staff  persisted  in  through  the  consider- 
ation of  the  many  complaints  filed  by  the  prisoner, 
that  I  was  eventually  compelled  to  protest  in  jus- 
tice to  myself  and  the  prisoners  that  unless  the 
offending  officer  withdrew  that  I  would  refuse  to 
continue  the  inspection.  The  commandant  then 
relieved  this  officer  from  duty  with  the  inspection 
party.  This  was  only  a  part  and  parcel  of  an  at- 
mosphere of  insincerity  and  concealment  that  per- 
meated the  entire  inspection  and  the  camp.  The 
statement  made  in  the  letter  to  the  ambassador 
that  the  treatment  of  these  men  would  have  such  a 
result  upon  the  mental  tone  as  to  lead  to  a  mutin- 
ous attitude  had  more  ground  than  appeared  in  the 
report.  During  this  inspection  the  Russian  pris- 
oners of  war  to  the  number  of  a  hundred  or  more, 
surrounded  the  inspection  party  and  demanded  in 
such  a  violent  way  that  they  be  relieved  from  such 
unbearable  conditions  that  it  looked  for  a  moment 


92     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

as  if  actual  violence  would  be  done  on  the  German 
officers.  While  the  appeal  was  made  to  me,  repre- 
senting the  American  Embassy,  I  explained  that 
this  matter  was  entirely  outside  my  providence. 
The  staff  officer  from  the  Army  Corps  Headquar- 
ters tried  to  quiet  the  men  by  stating  to  them  that 
they  should  write  to  Eussia  demanding  that  their 
interests  should  be  placed  in  the  hands  of  some 
neutral  country.  It  was  perfectly  evident  from 
the  mental  attitude  and  rebellious  conduct  of  these 
men  that  they  were  not  of  sound  mind  and  with 
little  further  provocation  or  if  even  they  then  had 
available  weapons  that  violence  could  have  been 
expected.  To  be  able  to  correct  some  of  the  condi- 
tions in  this  camp,  to  be  of  even  small  assistance 
to  such  suffering  human  beings  was  at  least  some 
compensation  for  the  trials  and  tribulations  of  this 
work.  Eeforms  insisted  upon  and  effected  for  the 
British  and  Servian  prisoners  here  confined,  were 
naturally  extended  to  all  the  prisoners  irrespective 
of  nationality.  While  the  barbarous  spirit  at  the 
bottom  of  the  atmosphere  of  this  camp  could  not 
be  entirely  eliminated,  the  more  serious  evils  were 
corrected,  as  was  shown  by  a  follow  up  inspection. 
This  was  an  example  of  a  repression  type  of  camp, 
several  of  which  existed  in  Germany  (Langen- 
salza,  etc.). 

To  add  to  all  of  this  the  pitiable  spectacle  of  the 
hospital  attached  to  this  camp  was  almost  too  much 
for  a  human  being  to  stand,  either  with  equanim- 
ity or  without  emotional  disturbance.     To  have 


THE  CAMP  AT  MINDEN  93 

placed  such  a  large  number  of  such  seriously 
wounded  men  jammed  together  in  such  crude  bar- 
racks with  insufficient  medical  attention,  no  nurs- 
ing worthy  of  the  name,  and  with  such  food  as  nor- 
mal men  could  not  eat,  was  a  blunder,  and  a  blot 
on  German  science,  worse  even  than  what  occurred 
at  Wittenberg.  What  possible  excuse  to  send  men 
to  such  barracks  and  to  such  a  camp,  could  be 
offered,  I  cannot  well  imagine.  I  had  already  in- 
spected hospitals  nearer  the  front,  well  equipped 
for  such  work  and  not  overcrowded.  Even  had 
these  men  been  sent  to  the  camp  attached  at  Fried- 
richsfeld  there  would  at  least  have  been  a  sympa- 
thetic attitude  and  a  serious  effort  made  to  over- 
come what  shortcomings  might  have  there  ex- 
isted. When  to  the  sight  of  men  sick  and  suffer- 
ing and  dying  in  the  throes  of  lockjaw,  with  a 
dirty  towel  between  the  teeth,  men  dying  prisoners 
in  a  foreign  land  without  a  gentle  voice  or  sympa- 
thetic hand  to  ease  their  suffering,  there  was 
added  the  brutal,  blind  obedience  to  regulation, 
that  would  withhold  religious  consolation  when  it 
was  at  hand  and  anxious  to  help,  this  indeed  sur- 
passes all  human  understanding. 

If  one  stops  to  analyze  the  relationship  of  the 
atmosphere  in  the  hospital  to  that  of  the  camp,  it 
must  become  evident  that  to  the  military  authori- 
ties in  charge  of  the  camp,  and  who  were  evidently 
selected  for  this  particular  duty,  were  incompetent 
to  face  the  situation  thrust  upon  them  in  connec- 
tion with  the  wounded  prisoners  of  war.    Cer- 


94     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

tainly  it  was  the  duty  of  a  commandant  with  the 
rank  of  general  to  protest  to  the  proper  authorities 
against  this  condition  of  affairs.  Inasmuch  as  this 
was  not  done  the  same  heartless  attitude  permitted 
and  even  stimulated  in  the  main  camp,  could  be 
expected  still  to  be  manifest  in  the  hospital  for 
wounded  men.  In  this  particular  instance  these 
officers,  even  if  they  had  so  desired,  could  not 
carry  out  a  brutal  system  in  one  portion  of  the 
camp  and  change  it  to  a  sympathetic,  humane  at- 
titude across  a  barb-wire  barrier  in  the  same  camp. 
I  do  not  see  how  any  man  with  human  instincts 
could  permit  a  single  day  to  pass  with  such  condi- 
tions existing  and  for  which  he  was  responsible, 
without  attempting  to  remedy  them. 

The  Eepression  camp  or  that  portion  of  it  for 
correction  of  prisoners  of  war  at  Langensalza, 
represents  the  same  general  atmosphere  except  to 
a  less  marked  degree  than  that  exhibited  at  Min- 
den. 

An  entirely  different  manifestation  of  this  same 
spirit  is  shown  in  the  attitude  of  the  commandant 
at  Schmiedmuhl.  In  this  same  camp  were  twenty 
nine  thousand  prisoners,  one  hundred  and  sixty 
men  were  confined  under  arrest;  of  the  hundred 
and  sixty  under  arrest  nine  were  British.  The 
consideration  of  these  will  give  some  idea  of  the 
German  idea  of  justice  as  applied  to  the  prisoner 
of  war  in  this  camp. 

Peison  Bakkack:  The  prison  barrack  was  in- 
spected and  found  to  be  approximately  fifty  by 


THE  CAMP  AT  MlNDEN  95 

fifty  by  nine  feet  (walled)  with  twelve  windows. 
One  hundred  and  sixty  men  were  confined  here 
under  arrest.  Upon  our  representation  to  the 
commandant  that  the  barrack  was  overcrowded 
he  stated  that  he  recognized  this,  but  that,  pending 
the  construction  of  another  barrack,  no  other  pro- 
visions could  be  made.  There  were  no  cots  or 
bunks ;  the  blankets  of  the  men  were  rolled  up  on 
the  floor.  The  men  were  not  permitted  to  smoke, 
play  cards  or  have  tea.  They  were  confined  to  the 
barrack  throughout  the  entire  twenty  four  hours, 
except  for  one  hour  each  day,  when  they  were  taken 
out  for  exercise. 

Of  the  hundred  and  sixty  men  under  arrest,  nine 
are  British.  Of  these  one  is  a  colonel  sergeant 
major,  one  a  lance  corporal  and  seven  privates. 

The  cases  of  S and  S were  individual 

cases  of  arrest.  The  seven  privates  were  grouped 
as  one  process  involving  the  same  offence. 

All  of  these  men  complained  of  the  handling  of 
their  cases  and  their  punishment  and  requested 
that  the  matter  be  reported  to  the  Embassy. 

Case  of  Corporal  S .     S ,     who     is     a 

lance  corporal  of  the  K.  0.  Y.  L.  I.,  stated  that  he 
had  been  working  for  some  time  in  a  machine  shop 
at  a  bench  with  two  civilians.  For  some  time  the 
civilian  workmen  had  displayed  an  antagonistic 
attitude  towards  him.  On  the  day  of  his  arrest  a 
file  with  which  he  had  been  working  accidentally 
caught  in  the  sleeve  of  the  man  next  to  him,  who 
thereupon  made  a  violent  attack  upon  him;  that 


96     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

after  having  been  attacked  several  times,  he  canght 
his   hand   to   protect   himself.    The   guard  was 

called  and  he,  S ,  stated  to  the  guard  that 

he  refused  to  work  longer  in  the  shop  on  account 
of  the  antagonistic  attitude  of  the  civilian  work- 
men and  the  occurrence  stated  above.  He  was 
thereupon  taken  to  the  place  where  he  was  lodged. 
Some  two  or  three  hours  later,  the  guard  appeared, 
ordered  him  to  go  to  work  again  in  the  shop.  He 
refused  again  on  the  grounds  above  stated,  where- 
upon the  guard  struck  him  several  times  with  the 
butt-end  of  his  rifle  and  otherwise  abused  him. 
He  was  then  placed  under  arrest  and  has  since  been 
tried. 

This  matter  was  later  taken  up  at  the  command- 
ant's  office  with  the  commandant  and  a  Bechtsan- 
walt  (lawyer)  attached  to  his  staff.  We  asked  the 
nature  of  the  charge  and  the  proceedings  under 
which  the  man  was  punished.  The  commandant, 
after  having  looked  up  the  record,  stated  that  fol- 
lowing his  return  to  the  guard  house,  S was 

formally  told  that  he  would  have  to  return  to  the 
place  to  work  and  that  he  replied  in  absolute  re- 
fusal. 

The  Eechtsanwalt  then  stated  that  such  a  heavy 
penalty  of  imprisonment  had  been  imposed  upon 

him  (S )  at  the  court  martial  in  view  of  the 

contemptuous  and  insolent  manner  in  which  he 
had  made  this  refusal. 

The  commandant  in  reference  to  S 's  com- 
plaint of  rough  handling,  stated  that  the  guard 


THE  CAMP  AT  MINDEN  97 

had  the  right  to  strike  a  prisoner  with  his  rifle  in 
order  to  enforce  obedience  to  a  command,  but  that 
he  paid  particular  attention  that  in  the  enforce- 
ment of  authority  the  guards  did  not  thereby  in- 
jure the  prisoners ;  that  with  reference  to  this  par- 
ticular instance,  it  was  much  better  to  force  the 
prisoner  to  obey  by  striking  him  than  that  he 
should  have  to  suffer  imprisonment  for  refusal. 
The  Kechtsanwalt  then  read  to  us  the  paragraph 
in  the  regulations  under  which  the  guard  is  em- 
powered to  use  force  in  the  handling  of  a  pris- 
oner. 

Case  of  Sergeant  S .    Company  Sergeant 

Major  E.  S stated  that  at  the  time  of  his  ar- 
rest he  was  the  noncommissioned  officer  in  charge 
of  the  English  barrack  in  one  of  the  camps.  That 
on  March  4th,  by  request  he  had  sent  in  a  list  of 
the  fatigue  men  from  whom  selections  for  work 
were  to  be  made.  This  list  was  prepared  by  him 
from  his  knowledge  of  the  physical  condition  of 
the  men,  their  ability  to  work  etc. ;  that  previously 
this  arrangement  had  worked  out  all  right.  On 
this  particular  occasion,  the  German  noncom- 
missioned officer  came  to  him  and  told  him  to 
order  out  certain  men  for  work.  Inasmuch  as 
these  men  did  not  conform  to  the  order  of  this 
list,  a  misunderstanding  developed.  He  was  ar- 
rested for  refusing  to  order  the  men  to  work  and 
tried  by  court  martial.  At  the  time  of  the  trial 
he  understood  that  at  first  he  had  been  sentenced 
to  three  weeks  in  prison  and  was  taken  out  of  the 


98     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

court  room.  He  was  asked  if  he  wanted  to  ap- 
peal and  upon  an  affirmative  reply,  after  about 
ten  or  fifteen  minutes  was  taken  back  into  the 
courtroom  again  and  sentenced  to  three  months. 
He  then  filed  an  appeal  and  on  this  trial  was  sen- 
tenced to  three  months'  imprisonment.  He  com- 
plained that  he  did  not  understand  the  proceed- 
ings, that  he  did  not  understand  why,  the  first 
verdict  of  three  weeks  had  been  changed  suddenly 
to  three  months;  that  he  was  not  represented  by 
any  one  in  his  defense  at  either  trial ;  that  he  had 
had  charge  of  the  men  for  some  time  previous  to 
the  particular  occurrence  for  which  he  was  tried, 
had  had  no  trouble  or  difficulty  and  attributed  his 
present  trouble  to  ill  feeling  towards  him  on  the 
part  of  the  German  noncommissioned  officer. 

The  matter  was  then  taken  up  with  the  com- 
mandant and  his  legal  adviser.  We  were  told  that 
the  three  weeks'  penalty  was  provisional;  that  the 
penalty  of  three  months  was  fixed  at  the  first  trial. 
When  the  prisoner  appealed  from  this  sentence, 
the  commandant  regarding  the  sentence  as  too 
light  also  appealed  and  a  verdict  of  an  increase 
from  three  or  twelve  months  was  handed  down. 
The  Eechtsanwalt  stated  that  the  regulations  pro- 
vided for  counsel  for  a  prisoner  only  in  unusual 
or  grave  cases.  The  prisoner  is  still  under  arrest 
pending  an  appeal  of  his  case. 

Case  of  W.  B.,  Privates  W ,  L ,  B , 

G ,  H ,  G .    B stated  that  he  had 

been  under  imprisonment  since  last  fall  and  had 


THE  CAMP  AT  MINDEN  99 

first  been  tried  October  4th,  1915.  He  said  that 
he  and  the  six  other  men  had  been  working  in  a 
field.  There  had  developed  a  misunderstanding 
as  a  result  of  their  lack  of  ability  to  understand 
exactly  what  the  guard  wanted  them  to  do  in 
reference  to  some  new  work.  Thereupon  the 
guard  had  rushed  upon  him,  threatening  him  with 
his  bayonet ;  that  neither  he  nor  any  of  the  other 
men  had  offered  any  resistance  but  that  he  had 
stood  perfectly  still  until  the  guard  had  quieted 
down.  Notwithstanding  this,  he  was  arrested 
and  tried  with  the  other  men  on  October  4th,  1915. 
At  that  trial  B was  given  four  years  imprison- 
ment, three  men  eighteen  months  and  the  other 
men  twelve  months.    All  the  men  appealed  and  at 

the  second  trial,  November  24th,  1915,  B was 

sentenced  to  ten  months,  the  others  to  three  and 

two  months,  respectively.     B alone  appealed 

from  this  verdict.  The  other  six  men  were  satis- 
fied with  the  verdict  and  did  not  appeal.    Upon 

this  trial,  B was  sentenced  to  two  years  and 

the  other  men  to  twelve  and  fifteen  months,  re- 
spectively. 

Privates  W ,  L ,  B ,  G ,  H , 

and  Gr complained  with  much  bitterness  that 

inasmuch  as  they  had  already  served  their  term 
of  imprisonment  according  to  the  trial  of  Novem- 
ber 24th,  1915,  and  inasmuch  as  they  had  not  ap- 
pealed from  this  verdict  and  inasmuch  as  they  had 
already  served  the  sentences  imposed  by  this  ver- 
dict and  had  been  released,  they  could  not  under- 


100     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

stand  why  a  new  verdict  of  twelve  and  fifteen 
months  respectively,  should  be  reimposed  upon 
them.  They  had  at  no  time  any  aid  or  counsel  to 
assist  them  or  explain  the  nature  of  the  proceed- 
ings of  their  present  imprisonment  imposed  upon 
them  by  the  court. 

When  the  commandant  was  asked  as  to  the 
status  of  the  cases  of  these  men,  he  replied  in 
reference  to  the  re-imprisonment  of  the  penalty 
complained  of  by  the  men  that  while  they  had  not 
appealed  from  the  verdict  of  November  24th,  1915, 
he  had  appealed  and  the  verdict  imposed  was  the 
action  of  the  court  upon  his  appeal.  In  reference 
to  their  complaint  as  to  counsel,  he  replied  as  in 
the  other  cases:  "It  was  not  customary  to  as- 
sign counsel  for  the  prisoner  in  such  cases." 

Not  only  the  cases  here  sited  but  in  cases  from 
other  prison  camps  it  was  perfectly  evident  that 
the  whole  procedure  took  the  nature  more  of  legal 
persecution  than  of  prosecution.  The  presump- 
tion on  the  part  of  the  prisoner  of  war  to  appeal 
his  case  from  the  superior  judgement  of  his  cap- 
tors could  only  be  met  on  the  appeal  by  increas- 
ing or  doubling  his  sentence.  When  one  takes 
into  consideration  that  the  officers  of  these  court 
martials  are  German  Officers,  that  the  trial  is  held 
in  a  hostile  atmosphere  that  the  prisoner  is  not 
represented  by  counsel,  that  he  has  no  one  except 
himself  to  state  his  case  for  him  and  that  even 
this  statement  of  the  case  must  be  interpreted  to 
the  court  by  men  not  sympathetic  to  the  prisoner 


C/3 

S-H 

C 
O 


O 
u 

60 

<u 

2; 


s 

o 

i-l 

60 
< 


THE  CAMP  AT  MINDEN  101 

with  a  possibility  that  the  interpretation  may  not 
express  the  facts  or  circumstances  stated  by  the 
prisoner,  it  will- not  be  at  all  surprising  to  learn 
that  the  prisoner  felt  that  he  had  not  been  justly 
dealt  with  and  viewing  the  cases  here  cited  with 
other  cases,  one  cannot  escape  the  conclusion  that 
he  is  justified  in  his  position.  Every  effort  was 
made  to  have  the  Embassy  notified  of  the  trial  of 
men  in  which  severe  sentences  were  asked  for.  It 
was  always  impossible  to  have  this  request  com- 
plied with  and  the  only  information  the  Embassy 
had,  was  obtained  in  an  accidental  way  through 
camp  inspectors  or  when  the  individual  convicted 
was  found  later  in  one  of  the  military  prisons.    In 

the  case  of  Private  F.  A although  a  sentence 

of  ten  years  imprisonment  in  jail  was  confirmed  on 
an  appeal,  another  appeal  was  taken  by  the  pros- 
ecuting officer  who  insisted  upon  a  death  sentence 
in  this  case  and  yet  notwithstanding  this  no  word 
was  sent  to  the  Embassy  and  the  case  was  only 
discovered  by  accident  in  the  inspection  of  the 
camp  at  Kreis  Celle.  The  report  of  this  case  sub- 
mitted to  the  Embassy  led  to  the  employment  of 
counsel  and  the  cessation  of  any  further  perni- 
cious activity.  One  can  easily  picture  the  plight 
of  this  young  man,  formerly  a  student  at  one  of 
the  Canadian  Universities,  confined  for  months  in 
solitary  confinement  in  a  prison  cell,  without  light, 
with  little  ventilation,  and  with  the  prospects  of 
a  capital  sentence  being  passed  upon  him  without 
aid  or  comfort  from  any  one,  who  could  speak  his 


102     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

own  language.  One  can  easily  imagine  his  relief 
when  one  fine  day  he  finds  in  his  cell  some  one 
speaking  his  own  language,  sympathetic  to  his 
case  and  to  his  position  and  carrying  the  assur- 
ance of  counsel  and  interest  to  guard  him  in  his 
approaching  trial.  It  certainly  was  the  plain 
duty  of  some  one  to  have  called  the  attention  of 
the  Embassy  to  the  seriousness  of  this  case  in 
order  that  after  two  trials  by  their  own  court 
martial  that  the  further  prosecution  which  again 
only  would  mean  persecution  might  cease. 

During  the  inspection  of  the  camp  for  prisoners 
of  war  at  Scheuen  (Kreis  Celle),  in  a  complaint 

filed  by  Private  F.  A he  stated  that  at  the  time 

of  the  disturbance  for  which  he  was  imprisoned, 
another  prisoner  of  war,  Private  L ,  2nd,  Bat- 
talion, K.  0.  R.,  Lancashire  Regiment,  was  shot 
and  killed  by  the  guard.     The  statement  made  by 

T.  M below  indicates  that  previous  trouble 

had  existed  at  this  camp,  for  which  M was 

punished. 

Private   F.   A ,   13th   Battalion,    Canadian 

Highlanders,  stated  that  he  wished  to  file  a  state- 
ment of  his  case  and  enlist  the  aid  of  the  Embassy 
to  prevent  an  eventual  death-sentence  being  passed 
in  his  case.  He  stated  that  he,  with  twenty-five 
other  prisoners  of  war,  were  at  a  working  camp 
at  Bokleh.  They  were  violently  treated  and  bull- 
dozed by  the  guards.  This  became  so  bad  that 
they  all  demanded  permission  to  see  the  command- 
ant at  their  parent  camp  at  Celle.    The  German 


THE  CAMP  AT  MINDEN  103 

Feldwebel  (Sergeant)  left  them  and  returned 
shortly  with  a  guard  of  several  soldiers.  These 
men  appeared  to  be  much  excited  and,  without 
any  order  from  their  noncommissioned  officer  or 
any  act  on  the  part  of  the  accused,  they  attacked 
the  British  with  their  bayonets.  This  happened 
the  26th  of  May,  1916.  The  case  was  tried  on 
June  20th.  On  appeal  a  previous  sentence  of  ten 
years  was  confirmed.  The  prosecuting  attorney 
appealed  this  verdict  in  the  case  of  A ,  accus- 
ing him  of  being  a  ringleader,  and  demanding  a 
death-sentence  in  his  case.  The  other  twenty-five 
men  have  been  returned  to  the  working  camp, 
where  they  now  are,  while  an  appeal  in  their  case 
is  being  passed  upon. 

Thomas  M ,  2nd  Battalion,  K.  0.  R.  Lanca- 
shire Regiment,  stated  that  he  was  at  work  drain- 
ing a  swamp  at  the  same  working  camp  (Bokleh) 
which  has  been  mentioned  above  in  the  case  of 
A ;  that  about  May  12th,  1916,  a  fortnight  pre- 
vious to  the  above  occurrence,  he  was  working  with 
twenty-eight  other  men.  He  was  told  to  push  cars 
in  a  certain  way,  but  did  not  understand  as  there 
was  no  proper  interpreter  present.  The  guards 
suddenly  rushed  not  only  at  him  but  at  the  other 
prisoners  of  war,  hitting  them  with  the  butts  of 

their  rifles.     He  saw  A being  attacked  by  a 

sentry  at  this  time.    As  the  guards  approached 

him  (M )  he  raised  his  shovel  above  his  head 

to  protect  himself.     Three  members  of  the  guard 
"covered  him"  with  their  rifles,  and  he  dropped 


104     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 


his  shovel.  He  was  taken  to  the  camp,  on  July 
5th,  at  Hanover,  where  he  was  sentenced  to  ten 
years  in  jail. 

It  would  be  interesting  to  find  out  from  the  court 
records  in  the  case  of  M as  to  how  much  dis- 
turbance had  previously  existed  in  this  working 
camp,  the  reasons  for  it,  and  what  measures  were 

taken  to  correct  it.    A is  afraid  that  a  death 

sentence  will  be  passed  on  him  and  requests  the 
aid  of  the  Embassy. 


CHAPTER  VIII 

WITTENBERG  AND   OTHER  PLAGUE   CAMPS 

I  HESITATE  to  discuss  the  camp  at  Witten- 
berg for  the  simple  reason  that  the  informa- 
tion on  internal  conditions  during  the  period  of 
plague  has  been  obtained  largely  from  the  pris- 
oners themselves,  but  notwithstanding  this  I  think 
it  quite  impossible  that  the  British  medical  of- 
ficers who  in  the  path  of  duty  in  this  camp  faced 
death,  would  for  a  moment,  misstate  the  truth  for 
purposes  of  political  capital  in  their  report.  I 
may  state  that  I  have  talked  with  prisoners  still 
in  the  camp  at  Wittenberg  who  knew  nothing  of 
this  official  report  and  yet  who  corroborated  in 
detail  the  statements  made  therein.  In  addition 
to  this  we  have  the  reports  and  I  have  had  the 
opportunity  of  personal  communications  from 
Mr.  Osburne,  who  inspected  the  camp  in  October, 
1915;  Mr.  Gerard,  who  inspected  the  camp  in 
November,  1915,  and  in  the  personal  and  official 
reports  of  Dr.  Ohnesorg,  who  visited  typhus 
camps  during  the  epidemics.  Neither  the  am- 
bassador nor  the  attaches  of  the  Embassy  were 
permitted  to  enter  any  of  these  camps  during  the 
epidemic.    Dr.  Ohnesorg,  however,  talked  with 

105 


106     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY      % 

some  of  the  British  medical  officers  through  the 
barbed-wire  barriers.  I,  therefore,  feel  justified 
in  this  discussion  in  quoting  from  these  reports 
with  the  feeling  that  the  above  corroboration  en- 
titles them  to  full  credence  and  serious  considera- 
tion. In  the  report  of  Dr.  Ohnesorg,  of  the  camp 
at  Gardelegen,  he  states:  "Here  as  in  most  in- 
stances when  typhus  appeared,  the  guard  and  mili- 
tary authorities  precipitously  vacated  the  camp 
and  left  the  administration  in  the  hands  of  the 
prisoners  of  war.  Sanitary  conditions  leading  up 
to  this  epidemic  had  been  indescribably  bad.  The 
interned  had  been  needlessly  crowded  in  the  bar- 
racks, they  were  not  sufficiently  clothed,  there  had 
been  inadequate  facilities  for  bathing  and  lack  of 
medicine,  dressings  and  suitable  food  for  the  sick 
together  with  improper  hospital  accommodations 
paralleled  the  conditions  at  Wittenberg  and  no  ex- 
cuse can  be  offered  for  the  callousness  and  cow- 
ardice exhibited  by  the  authorities  in  these 
crises." 

Typhus  existed  in  a  large  percentage  in  several 
camps.  The  number  of  cases  varied.  In  the 
camp  at  Cassel,  which  at  that  time  contained 
eighteen  thousand  prisoners,  were  seven  thousand 
cases,  with  a  mortality  of  eleven  percent.  At 
Cottbas  seventeen  hundred  and  sixty  five  cases 
occurred  with  two  hundred  deaths.  It  will 
therefore  be  seen  typhus  is  a  highly  contagious 
disease  with  only  a  relatively  small  mortality. 
The  organism  causing  the  disease  is  not  known. 


PLAGUE  CAMPS  107 

It  is  generally  admitted,  however,  that  the  body- 
louse  transmits  the  disease  from  one  person  to 
another.  During  the  course  of  the  disease  high 
fever  and  delirium  are  the  rule,  and  during  con- 
valescence marked  body  weakness,  gangrene  of 
the  extremities,  nervous  and  mental  states  are  the 
complications. 

In  a  consideration  of  the  problem  of  Witten- 
berg it  should  be  remembered  that  the  German 
Government  had  repeatedly  refused  requests  to 
place  the  different  nationalities  in  separate  camps 
by  themselves  and  typhus  has  long  existed  as  an 
epidemic  disease  in  Russia.  It  is  not  considered, 
therefore,  amongst  them  as  any  more  serious  than 
is  typhoid  with  us.  It  occurs  indeed  in  such  mild 
form  that  the  Russian  doctors  often  overlooked 
it  and  did  not  recognize  it  as  typhus. 

It  is  admitted  that  the  camp  at  Wittenberg  was 
not  only  overcrowded  but  that  supplies  were  so 
short  that  two  and  even  three  prisoners  of  war 
were  sleeping  on  the  same  mattress;  that  the 
camp  was  dirty  and  vermin  infested  almost  to  a 
degree  unbelievable ;  that  the  attitude  of  the  Ger- 
man officers  was  hard  and  unsympathetic  that 
even  after  the  epidemic  had  passed  over,  when 
Mr.  Osburne  made  his  visit  the  prisoners  were 
cowed  by  fear  of  punishment  if  they  talked  freely 
with  the  inspector.  The  use  of  police  dogs  recall 
the  general  attitude  and  atmosphere  already  de- 
scribed at  Minden.  It  is  not  surprising,  there- 
fore, that  when  the  epidemic  broke  out,  to  quote 


108     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

again  the  words  of  Dr.  Ohnesorg:  "The  officers 
of  this  camp  should  exhibit  callousness  and  cow- 
ardice." 

The  barracks  originally  built  for  one  hundred 
and  twenty  men  were  overcrowded  to  the  extent 
that  one  hundred  and  eighty  to  two  hundred  pris- 
oners were  in  a  single  barrack.  In  all  some  fif- 
teen thousand  prisoners  were  housed  in  this  camp 
of  approximately  ten  acres  in  extent.  The  camp 
was  surrounded  by  the  usual  row  of  double  barbed- 
wire.  This  camp  consisted  of  a  mixed  popula- 
tion of  French,  Belgians,  Eussians,  and  British; 
as  in  the  other  camps  the  Eussians  predominated 
over  the  other  nationalities.  The  winter  of  1914, 
1915,  the  year  of  the  epidemic,  was  extremely  cold. 
The  British  prisoners  were  not  supplied  with 
overcoats,  with  the  natural  result  of  crowding  of 
the  barracks,  not  only  at  night,  but  during  the 
day.  Added  to  this  there  was  an  insufficiency  of 
underclothing,  shoes  and  socks.  Sanitary  ar- 
rangements were  insufficient,  both  for  laundry  and 
washing  purposes.  The  presence  of  lice  on  the 
bodies  and  clothes  of  the  men  admitted  from  the 
front  at  the  time  of  the  outbreak  of  the  epidemic 
became  a  serious  matter.  A  statement  was  made 
by  the  British  physicians  that  two  or  even  three 
soldiers  were  forced  to  use  the  same  mattress; 
the  effect  of  this  close  contact  upon  the  spread  of 
the  disease  was  most  important.  The  epidemic 
of  typhus  broke  out  in  this  camp  in  the  summer 
of  1914  and  continued  until  July  of  the  following 


PLAGUE  CAMPS  109 

year.  During  this  period  of  time  there  were  as 
many  as  one  hundred  cases  of  typhus  in  the  camp 
at  one  time. 

The  arrival  of  the  British  medical  officers  at 
the  camp  came  about  in  the  following  way.  From 
the  month  of  November,  1914,  thirteen  English 
doctors  had  been  detained  at  Halle.  They  were 
none  of  them  required  for  attendance  upon  their 
own  men,  and  it  is  difficult  to  understand  how, 
consistently  with  the  Geneva  Convention,  their 
continued  detention  was  justified.  Indeed  in  di- 
rect defiance  of  the  provisions  of  that  Conven- 
tion, these  doctors  were  treated  as  ordinary  pris- 
oners of  war,  and  the  Committee  cannot  resist  the 
suspicion  that  they  were  deliberately  detained  by 
the  German  authorities  so  that  they  might  be 
made  available,  if  need  be,  for  work  of  danger  in 
relief  of  their  own  staff.  Be  that  as  it  may,  after 
three  months'  wrongful  detention  these  doctors 
were,  on  the  10th  of  February,  1915,  informed 
that  they  were  to  be  distributed  amongst  the  other 
German  camps,  and  particularly  the  six  were  re- 
quired for  the  camp  at  Wittenberg.  By  arrange- 
ment amongst  themselves  the  six  sent  there  were 
Major  F ,  Major  P ,  Captain  S ,  Cap- 
tain V and  Captain,  then  Lieutenant  L . 

No  reason  was  given  for  the  order  that  they  should 
go  to  Wittenberg,  and  it  was  from  the  guard  on 
the  train  that  they  first  heard  of  typhus  there. 
The  further  report  of  conditions  in  the  camp  are 
Major  P ,  Captain  V ,  and  Captain  L . 


110     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

The  conditions  in  the  camp  during  the  epidemic 
are  almost  unbelievable. 

On  arrival  at  Wittenberg  they  were  marched  to 
the  camp.  They  visited  the  different  compounds. 
They  were  received  in  apathetic  silence.  The 
rooms  were  unlighted;  the  men  were  aimlessly 
marching  up  and  down;  some  were  lying  on  the 
floor,  probably  sickening  for  typhus.    When  they 

got  into  the  open  air  again  Major  F broke 

down.  The  horror  of  it  all  was  for  the  moment 
more  than  he  could  bear.     Later  in  the  evening 

Major  P and  Captain  V were  directed  to 

go  to  two  temporary  hospitals  outside  the  camp, 
Major  P to  the  Kronprinz  Hospital,  and  Cap- 
tain V to  the  Elbarfin  Hospital.     There  were 

no  infectious  diseases  at  either  hospital,  and  the 
general  conditions  at  each  were  satisfactory. 
These  officers  were  kept  there  until  the  7th  of 
March,  1915. 

Of  the  four  officers  left  on  the  11th  of  February 

at  the  camp  itself,  Captain  L alone  survives, 

and  the  conditions  as  he  describes  them  during 
the  period  between  the  11th  of  February  and  the 
7th  of  March  are  full  of  horror. 

Captain  L found  for  instance,  that  while  in 

the  bungalows  there  was  normally  one  mattress  to 
three  men,  in  the  improvised  hospital  there  were 
no  mattresses  at  all.  This,  of  course,  was  known 
throughout  the  camp,  and  in  consequence  there 
were  many  typhus  patients  scattered  over  the  com- 
pounds who  were  determined  not  to  come  into  the 


PLAGUE  CAMPS  111 

hospital  if  they  could  help  it.    In  one  compound 

alone  Captain  L discovered  fifty  hidden  cases 

of  typhus.  Further,  when  a  patient  was  brought 
from  the  compound  to  the  hospital,  either  the 
mattress  on  which  he  had  lain  was  brought  with 
him  or  it  was  left  behind  in  his  bungalow.  If  it 
was  brought  with  him  his  former  companions  were 
left  without  anything  to  sleep  on ;  if  it  was  left  be- 
hind his  companions  were  still  left  to  sleep  upon 
the  infected  mattress,  and  it  was  almost  inevitable 
that  they  should  catch  the  disease.  Again,  in  the 
absence  of  stretchers,  all  the  typhus  cases  had  to 
be  carried  down  to  the  hospital  on  the  tables  on 
which  the  men  ate  their  food,  and  there  was  no 
possibility  of  washing  these  tables  because,  as 
above  stated  there  was  practically  no  soap  in  the 
camp.  Moreover,  the  German  authorities  at  first 
refused  to  allow  the  whole  compound  No.  8  to  be 
used  for  typhus  patients.  They  required  that 
these  should  be  confined  with  other  sufferers,  a 
regulation  for  which  it  seems  impossible  to  sug- 
gest any  justification.  The  result  simply  was  to 
spread  the  infection  to  those  already  afflicted  in 
some  other  way. 

During  the  first  month  the  food  ration  for  each 
patient  was  half  a  "petit  pain"  and  half  a  cup  of 
milk  each  per  day.  The  only  soup  to  be  had  was 
from  the  camp  kitchen,  and  that  came  up  in  a 
wooden  tub  without  a  cover,  and  it  arrived  at  the 
hospital  full  of  dust  and  dirt.  It  was  a  hopeless 
diet  for  patients  in  a  fever.    In  truth  the  ration 


112     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

was  not  a  ration  at  all,  it  was  a  pretence.  It  was 
not  even  possible  to  give  the  patients  warm  water 
with  their  milk. 

The  camp  conditions  were  too  much  for  each  of 
the  four  medical  officers  who  were  left  there ;  two 
of  them,  Major  F and  Captain  S ,  very- 
soon  sickened,  and  they  died  of  typhus  about  a 
month  after  their  arrival.  Captain  F was  at- 
tacked later  by  the  disease  and  also  died.  There 
is  no  doubt  in  the  minds  of  the  committee  that  the 
condition  to  which  the  camp  authorities  had  re- 
duced the  camp  and  the  prisoners  they  had  aban- 
doned was  directly  responsible  for  the  death  of 

these  devoted  men.     Lieutenant  L was  finally 

stricken  with  the  disease  on  the  7th  of  March, 
after  having  for  three  days  with  a  temperature 
due  to  typhus  stuck  to  his  work,  there  being 
no  one  then  to  take  his  place.  He  alone  of  the  of- 
ficers attacked  finally  recovered.  When  con- 
valescent he  bravely  resumed  his  duty. 

On  the  7th  of  March  Major  P and  Captain 

V were  directed  to  return  to  the  main  camp. 

There  they  were  met  by  Captain  F ;  Major 

F and  Captain  S were  then  dying.  Lieu- 
tenant L ,  as  above  explained,  was  in  the  early 

stages  of  typhus. 

The  British  sick  were  lying  scattered  amongst 
the  French  and  Eussians,  both  in  the  compound 
No.  8  and  in  the  other  compounds  of  the  camp. 
Being  sometimes  dressed  in  French,  Belgian,  or 
Russian  uniforms,  they  were  difficult  to  recognise. 


PLAGUE  CAMPS  113 

They  were  lying  in  their  clothes  on  the  floor,  or 
on  the  straw  mattresses  above  described.  In  the 
beginning  there  were  no  beds  in  the  compound 
No.  8;  there  were  not  even,  as  has  been  shown, 
mattresses  for  all.  Major  P — —  saw  delirious 
men  waving  arms  brown  to  the  elbow  with  faecal 
matter.  The  patients  were  alive  with  vermin ;  in 
the  half  light  he  attempted  to  brush  what  he  took 
to  be  an  accumulation  of  dust  from  the  folds  of  a 
patient's  clothes,  and  he  discovered  it  to  be  a 
moving  mass  of  lice.  In  one  room  in  compound 
No.  8  the  patients  lay  so  close  to  one  another  on 
the  floor  that  he  had  to  stand  straddle-legged 
across  them  to  examine  them. 

Captain  V 's  description  is  even  more  ap- 
palling. It  was  impossible,  he  says,  to  obtain  bed- 
pans for  the  British  patients,  and  consequently 
in  cases  of  delirium,  and  even  in  less  serious  cases, 
the  state  of  the  mattress  was  indescribable. 

The  difficulty  in  obtaining  sufficient  drugs  and 
dressing  was  for  a  long  time  extreme.  Camphor- 
ated  oil,    Captain   L says,   could   never  at 

Wittenberg,  contrary  to  his  experience  in  other 
German  Camps,  be  secured  in  adequate  quantity, 
yet  this  was  practically  the  only  stimulant  avail- 
able. Day  after  day  a  list  of  medical  requisites 
would  be  sent  out,  and  only  a  third  of  the  things 
requested  would  be  supplied.  Bed  sores  were 
common.  In  several  cases  toes  and  whole  feet 
became  gangrenous,  and  sufficient  bandages  were 
not  available  to  dress  them.    One  of  the  patients 


114     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

now  returned  to  this  country,  Private  L of  the 

1st  Battalion  Boyal  Scots  of  Fusiliers,  in  May  had 
to  have  one  leg  amputated  below  the  knee,  and  in 
July  the  other  leg  amputated  at  the  same  place,  in 
both  cases  owing  to  gangrene.  Had  dressings  at 
the  proper  time  been  available  both  feet  would  in 
all  probability  have  been  saved.  And  his  case 
does  not  stand  alone.  The  officers  are  quite  sat- 
isfied that  the  post  typhus  gangrene,  which  was  so 
common,  was  largely  due  to  the  fact  that  for  so 
many  patients  there  were  neither  socks  nor  any- 
thing else  to  keep  their  feet  warm. 

In  the  earlier  stages  of  the  epidemic  there  was 
practically  no  hospital  clothing  available  for  the 
British  prisoners.  There  was  only  a  small  sul- 
phur chamber  for  disinfecting  purposes.  When  a 
patient's  outer  clothing  was  taken  off  to  be  sent 
to  the  disinf ector  he  had  to  be  left  in  his  shirt,  as 
no  other  clothing  or  shirts  were  supplied.  Each 
patient  brought  his  blankets  from  the  camp  with 
him,  and  as  no  covering  could  be  provided  for  him 
while  disinfection  was  taking  place  it  was  impossi- 
ble adequately  to  disinfect  his  clothing  unless  he 
was  to  be  left  naked. 

As  regards  the  washing  of  patients  in  the  hos- 
pital, this  was  entirely  out  of  the  question.  Un- 
til a  supply  of  soap  was  obtained,  by  Captain 

V 's  efforts,  from  England  at  a  later  date  there 

was  no  soap  forthcoming.  The  only  supply  was 
a  small  quantity  secured  from  the  officer's  canteen, 
and  that  was  kept  for  the  very  worst  cases. 


PLAGUE  CAMPS  115 

It  was  to  Major  P 's  great  powers  of  organi- 
zation, the  devoted  labors  and  strong  personality 

of  Captain  V and,  after  his  recovery,  the 

splendid  work  of  Captain  L ,  that  gradual  im- 
provement in  the  conditions  was  due.  An  obser- 
vation ward  was  instituted  in  compound  No.  8  and 

placed  in  charge  of  Captain  L .     Major  P 

took  over  the  treatment  of  typhus  in  the  hospital, 

and  Captain  V ,  in  addition  to  other  duties  was' 

placed  in  charge  of  the  surgical  ward.     Major 

P at  length  obtained  permission  to  collect,  and 

he  did  collect,  all  the  British  typhus  patients  in 
one  bungalow  of  that  compound.  He  secured  for 
his  patients  what  bedding,  hospital  clothing, 
urinals,  etc.,  he  could,  as  these  filtered  daily  from 
the  hands  of  the  Germans  outside  into  the  store- 
room. He  arranged  that  the  milk  and  the  soup 
should  be  left  in  special  vessels  before  the  bunga- 
low ;  he  obtained  for  each  patient  about  three  cup- 
fulls  of  milk  per  day,  and  for  the  convalescents  a 
thin  soup  and  some  white  rolls.  Clothing,  beds, 
and  bedding,  were  gradually  collected,  so  that  the 
patients  could  at  least  be  put  into  clean  clothes, 
and  their  own  were  disinfected  in  a  movable  steam 
disinfector  that  after  a  time  was  working.  As  the 
cases  decreased  in  number  the  appalling  over- 
crowding of  the  hospital  in  the  beginning  at 
length  disappeared. 

After  the  middle  of  April,  however,  beds  and 
clothing  were,  as  above  appears,  gradually  ob- 
tained for  the  hospital,  and  as  the  weather  became 


116     THE  PRISONER  OF.  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

warmer  the  cases  rapidly  decreased  in  number. 
[With  the  decrease  in  the  patients  the  supplies  be- 
came adequate,  so  that  now  every  patient  in  Wit- 
tenberg hospital,  whatever  his  ailment,  has  a 
bed  and  proper  hospital  clothing. 

When  one  pictures  this  camp  with  its  fifteen 
thousand  prisoners  with  the  conditions  above  de- 
scribed, with  an  atmosphere  even  worse  than  that 
of  the  average  prison  camp,  and  there  suddenly 
appears  an  epidemic  of  one  of  the  most  fatal  dis- 
eases known  to  medical  science,  it  is  easy  to  im- 
agine the  helpless  horror  that  overtook  these  men, 
helpless  to  fight  the  unseen  invader,  and  confined 
between  barbed-wire  and  thrusting  bayonets,  un- 
able to  flee  before  it.  It  was  from  this  plague- 
stricken  camp  with  its  helpless  and  hopeless  con- 
tent of  human  beings,  caught  like  so  many  rats  in 
a  wired  trap,  that  the  entire  German  staff  and 
guard  to  a  man  responsible  for  their  lives,  re- 
sponsible indeed  for  their  own  honor  and  their 
safe  keeping,  deserted  this  camp  and  left  the 
inmates  to  their  fate.  Not  a  single  German  was 
left  within  the  camp  enclosure.  The  officers  and 
the  guard  stood  without  the  wire  entanglements, 
and  all  communications  held  between  the  doctors 
who  took  charge  of  the  camp  and  the  camp  au- 
thorities took  place  through  this  enclosure.  A 
trolley  shute  about  twenty  yards  long  worked  by 
winches  at  either  end  was  used  for  the  supply  of 
food  for  the  hospital  and  medical  officers.  Until 
the  epidemic  was  over  in  August,  1915,  not  a  Ger- 


PLAGUE  CAMPS  117 

man  medical  officer  appeared  in  the  camp  with  the 

exception  of  one  visit  by  Dr.  A some  two 

months  after  the  outbreak  of  the  epidemic.  An- 
other German  later  in  the  epidemic  visited  the  hos- 
pital for  bacteriological  specimens  for  research 
work.  It  is  useless  to  comment  on  such  a  condi- 
tion of  affairs  as  obtained  at  Wittenberg.  One  can 
well  imagine  the  fear  of  such  an  epidemic  upon  the 
layman.  The  physician,  however,  is  trained  to 
look  upon  contact  with  epidemic  diseases  as  a 
part  of  his  day's  work.  Wittenberg  and  some  of 
the  other  German  typhus  camps  will  remain  as  a 
blot  upon  the  escutcheon  of  the  German  medical 
profession.  Whether  justly  or  not  it  would  be 
well  to  call  attention  to  the  military  side  of  the 
profession  as  contrasted  with  the  profession  as  a 
whole.  I  believe  that  if  the  military  authorities 
had  called  for  volunteers  to  manage  the  medical 
side  of  these  camps  that  it  would  have  found  more 
than  a  sufficient  number  of  simple,  plain  German 
doctors  to  face  the  danger  and  assume  the  risk 
and  responsibility.  Yet  in  the  absence  of  this, 
German  science  and  German  medicine  will  bear 
the  responsibility  and  the  odium  attached  to  the 
act  of  men  who,  when  human  life  was  placed  in 
their  hands,  failed  to  live  up  to  their  plain  duty. 
When  one  looks  for  a  justification  it  is  hard  to  find. 
At  the  time  the  epidemic  broke  out  there  was  a 
sufficiency  of  all  supplies,  including  food,  to  meet 
such  a  crisis.  On  March  16th,  1916,  the  following 
statement   and   explanation  of  Wittenberg  was 


118     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

given  to  a  member  of  the  United  States  Embassy 
Staff,  by  the  Inspector  General  of  the  prisoners 
of  war  camps  of  the  4th  Army  Corps: 

"The  General  spoke  at  length  of  the  epidemic 
of  spotted  fever  (Fleck-Typhus)  which  had 
broken  out  in  several  of  the  soldier  prison  camps 
last  year.  He  said  that  the  disease  had  been  prac- 
tically unknown  in  Germany  before  the  introduc- 
tion by  the  Russian  prisoners,  that  the  symptoms 
were  not  recognized,  and  that  the  German  doctors 
had  not  known  at  first  how  to  treat  the  cases  which 
appeared.  He  showed  me  a  chart  showing  the 
course  of  the  disease  at  Wittenberg,  where  it  ap- 
peared on  the  15th  of  January,  1915,  and  was 
eradicated  on  the  23rd  of  July.  In  all  there  had 
been  1,975  cases  and  185  deaths.  The  mortality 
had  been  least  among  the  Russians,  and  greatest 
among  the  Belgians  and  French  proportionally. 
Among  the  German  guards  there  had  been  8  cases 
and  2  deaths,  and  among  the  British  125  cases  and 
39  deaths,  while  79  Russians,  64  French  and  1  Bel- 
gian had  also  died.  The  General  said  that  the 
isolation  of  the  camp  and  the  order  forbidding 
the  German  guards  to  enter  it,  had  been  absolutely 
necessary  to  prevent  a  spread  of  the  disease  to  the 
city  of  Wittenberg,  where  most  of  the  guards  had 
their  homes  and  that,  as  a  result  of  these  precau- 
tions, there  had  not  been  a  single  case  among  the 
civilian  population." 

It  is  evident,  therefore,  that  the  4th  Army  Corps 
Command  finds  source  for  gratification  in  confin- 


PLAGUE  CAMPS  119 

ing  this  epidemic  to  these  camps.  It  does  not  ex- 
plain the  act  of  the  medical  profession  nor  does 
it  explain  the  treatment  of  the  guards  who  con- 
tracted the  disease  at  the  beginning  of  the  epi- 
demic and  the  prevention  of  the  spread  of  the  dis- 
ease from  these  men  to  the  city  of  Wittenberg. 
If  German  physicians  could  be  ordered  to  treat 
these  men  why  could  not  one  at  least  be  permitted, 
if  not  ordered  into  the  camp  to  live  with  the  im- 
possible conditions  and  thereby  see  the  necessity 
of  aid  to  so  many  dying  men. 

If  Wittenberg  were  an  isolated  instance  I 
might  consider  it  the  action  of  one  man  with  a 
misguided  idea  of  his  duty  to  a  local  community 
binding  him  to  higher  duty  to  helpless  men  con- 
fined behind  barbed-wire  in  impossible  surround- 
ings ;  but  we  have  already  read  the  statements  of 
the  officials  of  the  4th  Army  Corps,  and  the  report 
of  Dr.  Ohnesorg  at  Gardelegen  and  other  camps. 

The  same  attitude  was  met  in  a  general  way  in 
reference  to  the  prevalence  of  tuberculosis  in  Lim- 
berg.  The  attitude  of  the  foreign  office  and  the 
army  corps  headquarters  at  Frankfort  was  re- 
peatedly directed  to  the  existence  of  the  excep- 
tionally large  number  of  lung  cases  in  the  over- 
crowded barracks  of  the  Irish  prisoners  of  war  at 
Limburg.  Not  only  was  no  attention  paid  to  it  but 
officers  from  the  army  headquarters  disputed  the 
existence  of  tuberculosis  there  when  the  statement 
of  the  men  ill  in  the  barracks  and  their  appear- 
ance would  have  made  the  diagnosis  easy  even  for 


120     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

a  layman,  and  when  both  in  the  Revier-Stuben 
and  in  the  hospital  the  diagnosis  boards  at  the 
head  of  the  bed  was  open  evidence  to  the  con- 
trary. 

When  the  Swiss  commission  for  the  internment 
of  sick  and  wounded  prisoners  in  Switzerland 
visited  this  camp  the  attention  was  again  called  by 
them  to  the  disproportionately  high  percentage  of 
lung  cases  in  this  camp.  Confident  of  the  ability 
and  with  faith  in  the  German  medical  profession 
I  offered  to  have  a  decision  of  this  question  and 
the  necessity  for  a  detailed  survey  of  all  the  pris- 
oners in  the  overcrowded  barracks  in  order  to 
prevent  the  spread  of  this  disease,  left  to  a  com- 
mission of  three  German  specialists  whom  I  would 
name.  Notwithstanding  this  nothing  was  done. 
Here  again,  as  in  Wittenberg,  it  was  perfectly  evi- 
dent that  lack  of  consideration  of  the  Irish  pris- 
oner was  intentional  and  a  reprisal  for  his  failure 
to  cooperate  in  the  formation  of  the  Irish  Bri- 
gade. 


CHAPTEE  IX 

POLITICAL   CAMPS 

THE  camp  at  Limburg  just  mentioned  and  the 
camp  at  Zossen  (Wunsdorf)  are  both  exam- 
ples of  political  or,  more  specifically,  seduction 
camps.  In  both  camps  exceptional  treatment  was 
extended  to  the  prisoner  of  war  not  from  any  hu- 
mane principle,  nor  with  the  idea  of  doing  good  for 
the  sake  of  doing  good  but  more  specifically  with 
the  intent  by  means  of  favorable  treatment  and 
propaganda  to  induce  the  prisoner  of  war  to  aban- 
don the  country  for  whose  service  he  enlisted  and 
to  fight  for  Germany  or  with  her  allies.  During 
the  first  eighteen  months  of  the  war  both  Irish 
prisoners  and  Irish  officers  were  segregated  in 
camps  apart  from  the  other  British  officers  and 
prisoners.  The  enlisted  men  were  finally  placed 
in  the  camp  at  Limburg.1 

1 1  also  wish  to  state  that  ,  who  arrived  at  Crefeld  about 

December,  told  me  that  all  the  Irishmen  at  his  camp    (I  think, 

but  am  not  sure,  that  it  was )  were  collected  together  shortly 

before  he  left,  and  were  harangued  by  the  commandant,  who 
stated  that  the  Emperor  was  aware  of  the  down-trodden  state 
of  Ireland,  and  now  wished  that  the  Irishmen  should  be  placed 
in  a  separate  camp,  where  they  would  be  better  fed  and  treated 
differently  from  the  Englishmen.  He  further  stated  that  sub- 
sequently they  went  in  a  body  to  the  commandant,  and  said  they 
did  not  wish  to  have  any  different  treatment  from  their  com- 
patriots. 

121 


122     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

This  camp  is  one  of  the  best  constructed  camps 
in  Germany  and  with  beautiful  situation  in  the 
suburbs  of  the  picturesque  town  of  Limburg. 
Here  to  prepare  the  prisoner  for  the  coming  of 
Casement  he  was  given  exceptional  care  and  treat- 
ment and  fuller  liberty  than  in  the  average  camp. 
To  this  camp  was  sent  Sir  Eoger  Casement  to  give 
a  series  of  lectures  on  historical  (?)  subjects. 
The  lectures  were  poorly  attended  and  as  soon  as 
the  real  purpose  of  the  lectures  was  disclosed  se- 
rious trouble  developed  in  the  camp  whenever 
Casement  appeared.  At  first  he  was  given  full 
liberty  to  circulate  in  the  camp  as  he  pleased.  La- 
ter a  guard  was  sent  with  him  in  order  to  protect 
him  from  the  indignant  Irish  who  resented  both 
his  presence  and  his  mission.  This  resentment 
was  indeed  so  deep-seated  that  months  after  the 
episode  had  passed  the  mere  mention  of  this  gen- 
tleman's name  was  sufficient  to  stir  up  the  fighting 
blood  of  these  men.  They  could  see  nothing  hu- 
morous in  the  whole  affair  and  any  attempt  to  joke 
about  the  matter  was  resented.  After  this  long 
period  of  preparation  with  every  inducement  held 
out  to  these  men,  of  freedom  of  the  prison  camps, 
a  regiment  of  their  own  with  green  uniforms  and 
a  harp  embroidered  on  the  coat,  only  thirty-two 
men  out  of  the  four  thousand  prisoners  was  the 
pitiful  haul  to  form  the  famous  regiment  and  new 
ally  to  the  Central  Powers.  One  can  well  imagine 
the  deep  injury  to  the  sense  of  loyalty  of  these 
men  when  with  their  keen  sense  of  humor,  they 


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H 


POLITICAL  CAMPS  123 

could  see  nothing  particularly  funny  in  these 
thirty-two  men  marching  out  of  the  camp  in  their 
green  uniforms.  They  even  would  not  admit  that 
the  thirty- two  were  Irish.  ' '  Scotch  Irish  or  rene- 
gade Irish  from  America,"  they  said,  in  excuse  for 
these  hated  few  who  failed  to  live  up  to  their 
plighted  trust. 

Almost  immediately  after  the  failure  to  seduce 
these  men  from  their  loyalty  to  Great  Britain,  a 
change  of  attitude  was  manifested.  Both  in  the 
camp  and  in  the  working  camps  to  which  they  were 
sent  rigid  discipline  and  limitation  of  liberty  were 
enforced.  Those  in  the  camp  who  were  foremost 
in  their  antagonism  to  this  manifestation  of  Ger- 
man diplomacy  were  transferred  from  the  main 
camp  to  others  and  to  working  camps,  where  they 
were  forced  to  live  on  the  camp  foods  and  their 
packages  and  letters  were  not  forwarded  to  them 
by  the  German  noncommissioned  officer  placed  in 
charge  of  these  departments  of  the  camp.  Diffi- 
culties were  placed  in  their  way  in  the  use  of  the 
camp  library.  Here,  as  at  Schiedenmuhl,  Lang- 
ensalza,  etc.,  a  large  number  of  prisoners  were 
found  in  the  punishment  barracks;  bitter  com- 
plaints were  registered  that  men  too  ill  to  be  about 
were  ordered  out  of  bed  by  the  German  guard  not- 
withstanding the  orders  of  the  medical  officer. 

The  Koman  Catholic  priest,  a  man  of  their  own 
race  assigned  to  this  camp  by  special  agreement 
with  the  Vatican,  as  a  result  of  his  refusal  to  coun- 
tenance Casement  and  the  German  propaganda, 


124     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY. 

was  interfered  with  in  his  religious  functions  and 
eventually  ordered  out  of  Germany.  His  heart 
was  in  this  work  and  he  well  knew  what  was  in 
store  for  these  helpless  men  and  how  much  they 
would  need  his  help.  Eventually  the  German 
Government  was  forced  by  the  Vatican  to  recon- 
sider their  action  and  while  he  was  permitted  to 
remain,  his  actions  were  curtailed  and  he  was  not 
permitted  to  visit  other  camps  or  working  camps 
to  which  the  Irish  were  sent.  Father  Crotty 
stands  out,  with  such  men  as  Mr.  Harte  of  the  Y. 
M.  C.  A.,  Mr.  Hoover  in  Belgium,  and  the  Rev.  Mr. 
"Williams,  as  great  potential  factors  for  good  in 
the  present  conflict.1 

In  the  working  camps  to  which  these  men  were 
sent  the  same  story  of  reprisal  attitude  was  told. 
On  the  first  visit  of  inspection  to  the  Limburg 
camp  after  the  Casement  fiasco  the  commandant 

i  Prof.  Delmer  is  the  authority  for  the  following : 
"Among  the  Irish  prisoners  at  the  camp  at  Limburg  the  Ger- 
mans tried  even  to  use  the  priest  as  their  tool.  After  Roger  Case- 
ment had  exhausted  his  arts  trying  to  persuade  the  men  to  desert 
the  flag,  Father  Crotty,  whom  I  look  upon  as  one  of  the  heroes  of 
the  war,  was  asked  by  his  German  mentors  if  he  would  speak  a 
word  of  authority  to  the  waverers  at  mass. 

"  'Men  of  Galway,  Clare  and  Connaught,' "  he  said,  "  'the  Ger- 
man Emperor  wants  you  to  fight  on  his  side.  Some  people  have 
been  telling  you  it  is  the  proper  thing  for  you  to  do.  I  have  been 
asked  to  tell  you  the  same,  but  I  was  sent  to  you  by  his  Holiness 
the  Pope,  not  to  talk  politics  to  you,  not  to  mislead  you,  nor 
to  be  a  procurer  for  any  king  or  kaiser  on  earth,  but  to  tell  you 
in  the  name  of  God  and  the  holy  church  what  is  good  and  right 
for  men  to  do.  As  a  priest  of  God  I  tell  you  it  is  your  duty  as 
good  Catholics  to  keep  the  oaths  you  have  taken,  to  be  loyal  to 
your  King,  and  that  I  have  to  say  to  you  this  day.  May  the 
grace  of  God  rest  on  you  and  help  you.' " 


POLITICAL  CAMPS  125 

reported  in  a  very  casual  way  that  one  of  the  Irish 
prisoners  had  been  shot  by  the  guard.  Circum- 
stances as  detailed  by  him  were  so  inconsistent 
with  the  report  that  filtered  into  the'  camp  from 
the  working  camp  that  an  investigation  was  imme- 
diately ordered.  So  much  obstruction  was  placed 
in  the  way  of  this  investigation  that  the  ambassa- 
dor immediately  took  charge  himself  notwithstand- 
ing the  fact  that  the  commandant  at  the  camp  at 
Limburg  stated  that  a  military  inquiry  had  exoner- 
ated the  guard.  Just  as  soon  as  they  realized  the 
matter  was  to  be  fully  investigated  they  ordered  a 
court  martial  and  then  stood  firmly  against  any  in- 
vestigation on  the  grounds  that  until  the  court 
martial  was  completed  neither  the  American  Am- 
bassador or  any  one  else  would  be  permitted  to 
talk  to  any  of  the  Irish  prisoners  who  were  present 
at  the  time.  It  was  quite  evident  that  were  it  not 
for  the  investigation  of  the  American  Embassy  the 
court  martial  would  not  have  been  ordered ;  and  it 
was  only  then  started  as  a  block  to  any  further 
procedure  on  the  part  of  the  American  Embassy. 
In  similar  cases  at  Scheidenmuhl,  Soltau,  etc.,  the 
right  to  interview  the  prisoners  and  others  was  not 
questioned.  The  assumption  in  this  case  was  to 
the  effect  that  the  military  authorities  at  Limburg 
and  the  army  corps  command  at  Frankfort  had 
something  to  hide  in  this  case  and  took  this  method 
of  concealing  it.  The  report  of  this  investigation 
was  never  known  to  the  Embassy  notwithstanding 
the  promise  of  immediate  action.    This  case  had 


126     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

not  been  reported  to  the  Embassy  and  was  discov- 
ered in  the  routine  camp  inspection.  Notwith- 
standing the  protest  at  the  time  and  the  demand 
that  such  cases  should  be  immediately  reported, 
within  a  very  short  time  a  second  case  occurred  in 
which  the  prisoner  was  killed  by  the  guard  and 
this  case  was  likewise  not  reported  to  the  Em- 
bassy, but  was  accidently  discovered.  The  notice 
sent  to  the  family  of  the  dead  man  stated  simply 
that  he  had  died  and  was  buried  at  Limburg.  The 
military  authorities  in  their  discussion  of  this  case 
were  quite  proud  of  the  fact  they  had  given  the 
man  a  military  funeral  but  later  confessed  that  the 
guard  who  killed  him  was  a  prominent  member  of 
the  military  escort  who  assisted  at  the  interment. 
The  commandant  stated  that  on  May  28th,  a 
group  of  prisoners  working  on  an  Arbeitskomman- 
do  at  Langenseifexe,  some  little  distance  from 
Limburg,  were  taken  by  their  guard  to  an  inn  and 

permitted  to  drink.    Among  the  men  was  P.  M 

of  the  Second  Connaught  Rangers.  The  men  after 
a  time  spent  in  drinking  in  the  inn  were  taken  by 
the  guard  to  the  dwellings  where  they  were  quar- 
tered in  the  village.    When  in  his  quarters,  M 

suddenly  became  excited  and  violent,  jumped 
about  the  room,  screaming  and  crying  out  that  he 
must  have  more  to  drink,  and  pounded  upon  the 
walls.  The  noise  attracted  the  attention  of  civil- 
ians, among  them  the  burgomeister,  who  attempted 

to  quiet  the  man.    M then  seized  a  piece  of  iron 

and  made  an  attack  upon  the  burgomeister,  who 


POLITICAL  CAMPS  127 

escaped  him.  He  then  turned  upon  the  guard  and 
threw  the  iron  at  him,  which  the  guard  dodged, 
and  this  was  repeated.  Again  he  attacked  the 
guard  in  the  same  manner,  whereupon  the  guard 
shot  him,  the  man  dying  in  a  few  minutes.  The 
commandant  stated  that  the  guard  was  given  a 
hearing  before  a  board,  and  his  act  pronounced 
justified  in  self-defence.  The  commandant  stated 
that  M was  regarded  as  having  become  sud- 
denly mad  or  was  intoxicated.  The  guard  had 
stated  that  he  had  permitted  the  men  to  drink  no 
more  than  men  are  commonly  supposed  to  be  able 
to  drink  without  intoxication ;  and  in  view  of  this, 
the  commandant  stated  that  if  the  man  was  to  be 
regarded  as  having  been  drunk,  he  must  have  been 
abnormally  sensitive  to  the  action  of  alcohol.  He 
stated  that  the  man  had  given  no  trouble  previ- 
ously, was  not  known  to  be  inclined  to  drink,  and 
was  not  known  to  have  given  any  signs  of  being 
queer  or  unbalanced.  The  commandant  stated 
that  the  guard  had  violated  his  instructions  and 
regulations  in  permitting  the  prisoners  to  drink 
and  drinking  with   them   as  he  had  done.     He 

stated  that  the  body  of  M was  given  a  military 

funeral  at  the  place  where  his  death  occurred ;  and 
that  the  death  had  been  reported  to  the  army  corps 
to  which  the  camp  was  attached. 

During  our  inspection  the  senior  noncommis- 
sioned officer  of  the  camp,  Sergeant  J.  D of  the 

Eoyal  Connaught  Eangers  reported  to  us  the 
death  of  P.  M and  stated  that  application  had 


128     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

been  made  to  the  camp  authorities  to  have  some  of 
his  regimental  noncommissioned  officers  and  com- 
rades   attend    the    funeral.    This    was    refused. 

Then  they  requested  that  the  body  of  M be 

buried  with  other  members  of  his  regiment  who 
had  died  and  had  been  buried  in  Limburg.  This 
request  was  likewise  refused.  None  of  the  men 
who  were  present  at  the  working  camp  at  the  time 
of  the  shooting  were  in  the  camp  at  Limburg  at  the 
time  of  our  visit. 

The  same  seduction  by  the  same  means  but  with 
much  more  disastrous  results  from  the  German 
standpoint  was  tried  with  the  Irish  officers.  As 
far  as  I  know,  with  a  possible  single  exception,  not 
one  of  these  officers  was  disloyal  to  his  word. 
They  again  paid  the  penalty  in  various  ways  but 
not  to  the  same  degree  as  did  the  enlisted  men,  for 
their  resentment  to  such  approaches. 

In  contradiction  to  the  commandant's  report, 
statements  obtained  from  witnesses  at  the  time, 
gave  an  entirely  different  version  of  this  affair. 
It  was  stated  that  the  shooting  of  the  prisoner  was 
entirely  unjustified.  He  admitted  that  he  had 
been  drinking  and  was  boisterous  and  had  not 
obeyed  immediately  the  order  of  the  guard  to  turn 
in,  who  therefore  shot  him.  It  seems  highly  im- 
probable that  the  four  or  five  Germans  present 
including  the  guard  could  not  easily  have  subdued 
a  man  who  was  drunk  and  violent  and  who  had 
no  more  deadly  weapon  than  a  tin  f  wash  basin. 
According  to  the  witnesses  present  the  piece  of 


POLITICAL  CAMPS         '  129 

iron  mentioned  in  the  commandant's  statement 
was  the  innocent  wash-basin,  referred  to.  In  the 
interest  of  this  case  the  Central  Government  in 
Berlin  made  efforts  to  prevent  the  visit  of  Mr. 
Gerard  and  myself  to  Limburg  and  when  they 
realized  that  the  case  was  going  to  be  investigated 
whether  they  liked  it  or  not,  sent  a  member  of  the 
Foreign  Office  on  the  train  with  us  to  protest  and 
reason  with  ns  and  when  we  arrived  at  Limburg  we 
found  the  staff  officer  from  the  army  corps  head- 
quarters at  Frankfort,  sent  there  with  the  avowed 
purpose  of  preventing  any  investigation  either 
there  or  at  the  working  camp.  While  nothing 
further  was  done  we  obtained  sufficient  direct  in- 
formation not  only  in  this  case,  but  in  the  case 
which  immediately  followed  it,  to  give  us  a  fairly 
complete  case  upon  which  to  make  a  vigorous  pro- 
test concerning  the  attitude  of  the  German  author- 
ities to  the  Irish  prisoners. 

While  such  a  course  of  action  did  not  seem  to 
give  definite  tangible  results  from  a  legal  stand- 
point it  had  a  very  natural  effect  of  serving  notice 
on  the  German  authorities  that  the  United  States 
Embassy  would  not  only  be  satisfied  with  making 
a  single  report  of  such  occurrences  but  insisted 
upon  keeping  up  a  running  fight  for  the  correction 
of  such  conditions ;  which  while  it  might  not  lead 
to  any  change  of  heart  will  at  least  keep  the  guards 
from  such  reckless  action  as  to  lead  to  the  death 
of  any  more  prisoners.  While  we  might  consider 
from  a  purely  abstract  standpoint  that  such  deaths 


130     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

were  justified,  when  all  the  circumstances  of  re- 
pression and  inhuman  treatment  which  followed 
the  Casement  failure,  we  are  face  to  face  again 
with  Minden,  Wittenberg,  Schiedenmuhl,  etc. 

The  Irish  brigade  in  its  resplendent  uniforms, 
drunk  with  liberty,  aided  and  abetted  by  other 
ethereals,  did  not  present  in  this  condition  that 
martial  appearance  which  their  Teutonic  allies 
had  proudly  pictured  to  themselves.  After  a  fit- 
ful and  hectic  moment  in  Berlin  they  underwent  a 
sudden  disappearance.  Their  whereabouts  are 
unknown.  Limburg  was  no  safe  place  for  them. 
Upon  the  demand  of  the  American  Ambassador 
the  German  officials  replied  that  they  had  a  perfect 
right  to  liberate  prisoners  of  war  if  they  so  chose ; 
the  reply  to  this  was,  that  while  this  might  be 
true  taking  into  consideration  the  treatment  of 
the  other  Irish  prisoners  this  Government  had  a 
right  to  demand  that  they  be  presented  for  inspec- 
tion at  any  time.  This  principle  was  finally  ad- 
mitted and  the  disloyal  thirty  two  were  found  in- 
carcerated in  a  camp  near  Berlin  and  the  max- 
imum "that  virtue  has  its  own  reward"  was  here 
exemplified. 

ZOSSEN" — WUNSDORF 

We  turn  to  a  more  pleasant  and  agreeable  pic- 
ture in  consideration  of  this  camp.  While  the 
Mohammedan  and  Hindu  was  occasionally  found 
in  other  camps  they  were  eventually  all  concen- 
trated at  the  camp  at  Wunsdorf.    This  was  in 


POLITICAL  CAMPS  131 

many  respects  the  model  camp  of  Germany.  Here 
the  Oriental  was  given  exceptional  and  favorable 
treatment. 

Thirty-four  hundred  prisoners  of  war  were  con- 
fined in  this  camp.  Of  the  five  hundred  and  sixty 
one  British  three  hundred  were  Ghurkas,  one  hun- 
dred were  Sikhs,  one  hundred  and  six  Moham- 
medans, sixty  three  Shakurs.  In  addition  to  this 
the  rest  of  the  prisoners  of  war  were  confined  with 
Mohammedans  and  Orientals  from  the  French 
Army.  Not  only  were  the  barracks  well  con- 
structed, roomy  and  clean,  but  special  facilities 
were  offered  for  housing  the  different  racial  and 
religious  groups  together.  Individual  kitchens 
for  these  different  groups  were  provided  with 
every  facility  for  the  preparation  of  food  accord- 
ing to  their  religious  rites  and  tastes.  The  bath- 
ing arrangements  were  exceptional.  The  bath- 
houses, disinfecting  plant,  wash-houses,  drying 
building,  etc.,  were  in  excellent  condition.  A  spe- 
cial and  very  ornate  mosque  was  erected  for  relig- 
ious services  and  as  an  adjunct  to  this  a  special 
bathing  establishment  finely  constructed,  lined 
with  white  tiles  provided  with  constantly  running 
water  with  specially  arranged  places  for  the  wash- 
ing of  the  feet,  preparatory  to  entering  the 
mosque.  The  officers  assigned  to  the  camp  were 
men  who  had  seen  service  in  India  and  the  East, 
who  spoke  and  understood  the  language  of  their 
prison  groups  and  whose  attitude  of  sympathy  and 
understanding  was  very  touching  for  a  German 


132     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

prison  camp.  The  German  officers  were  very  affa- 
ble and  deplored  the  fact  that  we  had  not  brought 
our  cameras  with  us  to  take  some  pictures  of  this, 
a  very  picturesque  spot.  It  was  indeed  a  con- 
centrated living  picture  of  the  East  with  all  the 
light,  the  color  and  the  mystery  of  the  Orient.  We 
assumed,  however,  in  our  visit  to  this  place  that  a 
camera  would,  as  in  other  German  prison  camps, 
be  as  welcome  as  a  rattle  snake,  or  a  Colorado 
beetle  in  a  German  potato  patch,  and  to  ask  per- 
mission to  use  one  would  accentuate  the  statement 
made  in  the  public  press  that  the  attaches  of  the 
Embassy  were  spies  in  the  service  of  the  British 
Government,  an  attitude  of  mind  which  was 
equally  manifest  in  the  inspection  of  some  of  the 
camps. 

We  left  this  camp  with  the  general  impression 
that  this  was  indeed  an  ideal  camp  where  the  men 
were  treated  in  a  humane  and  kindly  way,  and 
where  their  tastes  in  food  were  considered  and  a 
camp  in  which  the  German  Government  supplied  a 
full  sufficiency  of  food,  not  only  of  meat  and  pota- 
toes, but  such  rare  things  in  Germany  as  rice  and 
wheat  flour.  This  exceptionally  good  opinion  of 
this  camp,  however,  was  marred  by  the  informa- 
tion which  came  to  us  later  that  the  impression 
which  was  conveyed  to  us  was  not  altogether  cor- 
rect and  that  much  of  this  food  material  was  sent 
directly  from  England  through  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  and 
other  channels;  and  that  further  by  the  wide- 
spread rumor  in  diplomatic  circles  which  neces- 


POLITICAL  CAMPS  133 

sarily  lacked  official  confirmation  that  by  such 
means  and  show  of  kindness  some  two  thousand 
of  these  men  were  weaned  away  from  the  Allies 
and  sent  to  Turkey  to  fight  against  those  to  whom 
they  had  previously  given  their  allegiance.  Such 
are  political  camps ;  the  one  a  success,  the  other  a 
failure;  the  one  an  Oriental  Paradise  in  prosaic 
Germany,  the  other  a  camp  of  repression  and  re- 
prisal, and  a  disappointment. 

As  part  of  the  crusade  for  the  conversion  of 
Mohammedan  prisoners,  members  of  the  Turkish 
Government  visited  this  camp  at  various  times. 
The  following  is  a  translation  of  the  speech  deliv- 
ered by  Mustafa  Eedin  Bey,  Turkish  member  of 
Parliament  and  President  of  the  Society  for  Na- 
tional Defense: — 

"We  are  very  happy  to  have  been  invited  here 
by  the  Imperial  German  Government.  We  bring 
to  you  the  greetings  of  our  Kulers  and  our  Sultan, 
who  are  your  brothers  of  the  same  Faith.  For  a 
soldier  it  is  a  great  misfortune  to  be  taken  pris- 
oner. You,  however,  have  not  the  justification 
that  you  have  fought  for  your  faith  and  your  race. 
You  have  been  drawn  into  this  struggle  by  force. 
Thanks,  however,  to  the  extraordinary  goodness  of 
the  High  German  Government,  they  have  taken 
cognizance  of  your  religion,  your  customs  and 
manners,  yes,  even  more,  namely  that  which  has 
been  lacking  in  your  home,  learning  to  read  and 
write,  is  here  extended  to  you.  They  have  called 
here  special  teachers  to  give  you  special  instruc- 


134     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

tion  in  your  religion  and  speech.  We  hope  that 
you  will  prove  thankful  for  this  and  what  you  have 
here  learnt  you  will  spread  in  your  homes  amongst 
your  brothers.  Bear  in  mind  always  that  you  are 
children  of  the  Turkish  people,  a  people  of  nearly 
7,000,000  souls,  a  race  that  inhabits  a  region  from 
the  Balkans  to  Mongolia.  When  you  consider 
this,  may  the  time  hasten  and  the  day  come  when 
we,  I  hope,  will  all  be  united  and  nationalized  in 
a  single  race.  In  conclusion  I  invite  you  in  thank- 
fulness in  gratitude  to  remember  in  your  prayers 
and  to  praise  our  exalted  rulers,  the  Sultan,  his 
illustrious  ally,  Kaiser  Wilhelm  II,  our  victory- 
crowned  allied  armies  and  the  great  German  and 
Turkish  Peoples.  Sie  leben  hoch!  Tschok  Yas- 
chasyn." 

It  is  stated  in  the  newspaper  report  above  trans- 
lated that  those  present  joined  in  a  lusty  hurrah. 
This  speech  was  then  translated  from  the  Turkish 
into  Tartar  by  one  of  the  officials  present  (Nord 
Deutsch  Alg.  Ztng.  May  30,  1916). 

One  can  picture  Sir  Eoger  Casement  making 
such  a  speech  to  the  Irish  in  Limburg  and  one 
could  also  truthfully  report  that  there  was  a  very 
spirited  response,  but  of  a  somewhat  different 
nature  than  that  above  quoted  in  the  camp  at  Zos- 
sen.  What  results  this  spirited  appeal  to  the 
faithful  produced  was  not  mentioned  in  this  jour- 
nal in  its  subsequent  issues. 

To  do  good  for  the  sake  of  doing  good  is  one 


POLITICAL  CAMPS  135 

thing ;  to  do  good  on  the  other  hand  for  an  ulterior 
purpose  and  with  the  motive  that  could  not  even 
be  stretched  into  a  semblance  of  virtue,  seemed  to 
be  the  object  of  the  political  camps. 


CHAPTER  X 

WORKING   CAMPS 

IN  previous  wars  it  was  the  custom  to  exchange 
prisoners  of  war,  man  for  man,  officer  for  offi- 
cer, of  equal  grades  or  multiples  of  lesser  grade  for 
officers  of  higher  rank.  During  the  present  war 
no  such  exchange  has  taken  place.  The  prisoners 
so  badly  wounded  that  there  was  no  possibility  of 
their  being  further  employed  in  military  service, 
munition  works,  etc.,  have  been  exchanged.  If  we 
examine  into  the  reasons  for  this  deviation  from 
the  practice  of  previous  wars  we  will  find  that  it 
rests  largely  upon  the  economic  problem  involved 
in  the  countries  at  war.  At  the  end  of  the  first 
year  of  the  war  two  factors  entered  largely  into 
the  decision  of  the  German  Government  to  use  the 
prisoner  of  war  as  a  workman.  On  account  of  the 
blockade  by  the  British  fleet  the  production  of 
food  for  the  German  population  and  for  the  pris- 
oner of  war  became  a  pressing  and  urgent  prob- 
lem. The  use  of  munitions  had  far  exceeded  that 
which  the  military  authorities  had  counted  upon 
and  the  conversion  of  many  industries  to  this  use, 
with  an  attempt  to  maintain  the  national  indus- 
tries of  the  country,  led  to  the  demand  of  an  in- 
creased amount  of  labor.    The  war  had  already 

136 


WORKING  CAMPS  137 

drawn  into  the  fighting  ranks  every  able-bodied 
man  between  the  ages  of  eighteen  and  forty-five. 
Germany  has  under  arms  nine  millions  of  men. 
From  an  economic  standpoint  we  must  consider 
each  man  as  a  working  machine  for  the  conversion 
of  energy.  The  amount  of  work  that  may  be  ex- 
pected from  such  a  machine  can  be  fairly  esti- 
mated from  the  amount  of  the  intake  of  food  hi 
heat  units.  Each  man  in  ordinary  work  uses  up 
six  hundred  food  units  (calories)  for  the  purpose 
of  work.  When  this  is  calculated  for  nine  mil- 
lions of  men  in  the  army,  it  means  that  the  re- 
maining group,  male  and  female,  are  burdened 
with  an  overload  of  at  least  fifteen  per  cent.  In 
order  to  compensate  for  this  extra  work  the  men- 
tal, muscular  and  nervous  strain — a  correspond- 
ing increase  of  food  becomes  necessary.  When 
on  account  of  lack  of  food  the  native  population 
is  not  able  to  take  on  this  extra  work  the  German 
Government  and  the  military  authorities  naturally 
turned  to  the  one  million  six  hundred  thousand 
able-bodied  men,  prisoners  of  war  under  their  au- 
thority and  for  whose  keep  they  were  responsible 
to  supply  it. 

Would  this  large  body  of  men,  hostile  in  spirit, 
give  aid  and  comfort  to  their  enemy  in  any  such 
fashion!  Of  this  evidently  the  military  author- 
ities never  had  any  doubt.  The  prisoner  of  war 
was  a  military  problem;  he  would  take  orders 
when  given  him  or  if  he  disobeyed  or  resisted, 
so  much  the  worse  for  him.    Furthermore,  there 


138     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

was  the  international  law  of  right  on  their  side,  in- 
asmuch as  it  is  stated  in  the  Hague  Convention : — 

1907.    Article  6 

The  State  may  utilize  the  labor  of  prisoners  of  war  ac- 
cording to  their  rank  and  aptitude,  officers  excepted.  The 
tasks  shall  not  be  excessive  and  shall  have  no  connection 
with  the  operations  of  the  war. 

Prisoners  may  be  authorized  to  work  for  the  public  service, 
for  private  persons,  or  on  their  own  account. 

Work  done  for  the  State  is  paid  at  the  rates  in  force  for 
work  of  a  similar  kind  done  by  soldiers  of  the  national 
army,  or,  if  there  are  none  in  force,  at  a  rate  according  to 
the  work  executed. 

When  the  work  is  for  other  branches  of  the  public  service 
or  for  private  persons  the  conditions  are  settled  in  agreement 
with  the  military  authorities. 

The  wages  of  the  prisoners  shall  go  towards  improving 
their  position,  and  the  balance  shall  be  paid  them  on  their 
release,  after  deducting  the  cost  of  their  maintenance. 

Would  it  not  be  better  to  have  the  thousands  of 
German  prisoners  in  French  and  British  camps 
working  in  their  home  industries'?  They  would 
work  more  willingly  without  guard  and  with  bet- 
ter results.  Why  not,  therefore,  exchange  prison- 
ers ?  As  far  as  Great  Britain  was  concerned,  the 
proportion  of  trained  men  in  Germany  to  those 
in  Great  Britain  was  tremendously  on  the  side  of 
Germany.  To  exchange  twenty  thousand  mem- 
bers of  the  expeditionary  force,  all  trained,  pro- 
fessional soldiers,  for  twenty  thousand  German 
soldiers  would  not  add  very  much  to  the  German 
army,  but  would  be  the  big  asset  for  the  newly 
formed  Kitchener  army.    It  was  further  assumed 


A  working  camp 


Internment  camp  at  Holzminden 


WORKING  CAMPS  139 

that  the  German  prisoner  of  war  in  England  would 
be  of  little  value  for  the  British  on  account  of  the 
resistance  of  the  labor  unions  to  their  employment 
in  industries.  For  these  reasons  Germany  had 
everything  to  lose  and  little  to  gain  by  such  an 
exchange.  These  same  reasons  obtained  in  refer- 
ence to  the  French  prisoners,  but  to  a  less  marked 
degree.  German  prisoners  were  employed  in 
France,  but  here  again  the  four  hundred  thousand 
French  prisoners  would  be  a  greater  asset  to 
France  with  its  smaller  army  than  an  equal  num- 
ber of  German  prisoners  would  be  to  Germany. 
The  British  prisoners,  and  to  a  large  extent  the 
French  prisoners,  were  supplied  with  food  from 
France  and  England.  This  very  large  food  im- 
portation was  of  tremendous  assistance  in  supply- 
ing food  necessary  for  productive  purposes.  The 
repatriated  German  prisoner  would  have  to  be  fed 
entirely  by  German  products.  In  France  and 
in  England  the  prisoner  of  war  was  well  fed  and 
cared  for.  This,  therefore,  was  an  additional 
reason. 

With  all  these  matters  clearly  in  mind  the  pris- 
oner was  put  to  work.  He  was  employed  in  all 
conceivable  kinds  of  skilled  and  unskilled  labor. 
After  almost  a  year  of  this  experiment  it  may  be 
stated,  in  a  general  way,  from  the  standpoint  of 
results  that  the  experiment  was  successful.  In 
agricultural  work  the  efficiency  mark  reached  cer- 
tainly 80  per  cent.  I  have  discussed  this  subject 
with  the  directors  of  all  kinds  of  manufacturing 


140     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

industries,  but  while  there  was  a  tendency  to  de- 
preciate the  value  of  prisoner-of-war  labor  it  may 
be  stated  in  a  general  way  that  the  efficiency  varies 
between  50  and  75  per  cent.  After  months  of 
training,  the  efficiency  very  often  was  even  higher 
than  this.  When  it  is  taken  into  consideration 
that  the  pay  for  this  labor  was  very  small  and  in 
the  case  of  the  British  prisoner  he  was  self-sup- 
porting as  to  food,  the  income  from  a  German 
standpoint  was  very  high.  Farm  labor,  for  exam- 
ple, was  paid  in  twenty  pfennigs  (four  to  five 
cents)  per  day.  The  attitude  of  the  employer  in 
depreciating  the  prisoner-of-war  labor  was  often 
the  preliminary  excuse  for  harsh  and  forceful 
measures  in  order  to  increase  the  labor  output.  It 
was  hardly  to  be  expected  that  the  prisoner  of  war 
would  work  with  the  same  spirit  and  energy  as  the 
German  workman.  After  months  of  experience  it 
was  a  common  statement  made  by  the  directors  of 
plants  employing  prison  labor,  that  if  the  prisoner 
of  war  was  well  fed  and  well  treated  good  results 
could  be  obtained.  Here  again  it  was  realized 
that,  even  when  the  spirit  was  willing,  the  amount 
of  energy  unit  to  be  derived  from  the  human  ma- 
chine was  in  direct  proportion  to  the  heat  units 
taken  in,  and  that  a  certain  amount  could  be  elim- 
inated by  proper  housing,  good  clothing,  good  san- 
itation, and  a  humane  attitude  that  lessened  the 
mental  and  nervous  strain  to  confinement.  When 
these  conditions  were  met,  when  the  prisoner  was 


WORKING  CAMPS  141 

well  treated,  exceptionally  good  results  were 
obtained. 

The  prisoner  of  war  realized  that  physically, 
mentally  and  morally  he  was  much  better  off  em- 
ployed in  some  useful  occupation  than  confined  in 
the  depressed  atmosphere  of  listless  waiting  day 
by  day  in  a  large  camp.  When,  however,  the  con- 
ditions at  work  were  unpleasant,  when  the  atmos- 
phere of  the  barracks  was  more  gloomy  and  unhy- 
gienic than  in  the  parent  camp,  the  men  were  not 
only  discontented,  but  did  their  work  unwillingly 
and  with  unfavorable  results  in  every  direction. 

During  the  summer  of  1916  it  may  be  conserva- 
tively stated  that  out  of  the  1,600,000  prisoners  of 
war  at  least  75  per  cent,  or  1,200,000  were  em- 
ployed in  productive  industries.  Quite  a  large 
proportion  were  employed  in  agriculture.  It  may 
be  stated  in  a  general  way  that  prisoners  employed 
in  farm  labor  were  well  treated  and  cared  for  by 
the  farmer  population.  The  distinction  between 
the  German  people  and  the  German  Government 
was  here  very  manifest.  The  prisoner  of  war, 
whether  he  be  British,  French  or  Eussian,  working 
in  the  fields  with  his  employer  and  his  family,  eat- 
ing at  the  same  table  and  often  housed  in  the  same 
house  soon  lost  the  character  of  a  hated  enemy  and 
became  a  simple  plain  human  being  with  compan- 
ionable qualities.  In  such  cases  there  was  little 
complaint  as  to  food  and  the  farmer's  own  food 
products,  increased  by  the  food  packages  received 


142     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

from  home,  afforded  enough  nutrition  to  keep  the 
prisoner  in  good  health  and  with  a  minimum  of 
discontent.    In  the  smaller  farmer  communities 
the  relationship  between  the  prisoner  of  war  and 
the  farmer  population  became  a  matter  of  concern 
to  the  military  authorities  and  a  notice  was  posted 
in  all  the  smaller  villages  making  it  a  penal  offense 
to  have  any  communication  with  the  prisoner  of 
war.     The  farmer  employer  was  usually  made  of- 
ficially a  military  guard  of  his  prisoners,  if  indeed 
he  was  not  already  a  member  of  the  Landsturm. 
On  such  farms  the  prisoner  was  given  a  large  de- 
gree of  liberty.    He  was  often  found  alone  in  the 
fields  tilling  the  soil  and  at  times  permitted  to 
drive  into  the  village  alone.    In  most  of  the  army 
corps  the  prisoners  did  not  live  with  the  farmer, 
but  were  housed  in  the  assembly  hall  of  the  village 
inn;  here  from  thirty  to  two  hundred  prisoners 
would  be  housed  at  night  under  a  German  guard, 
of  a  noncommissioned  officer  and  two  to  six  men. 
They  would  breakfast  in  the  early  morning  and 
would  then  be  distributed  to  the  farms  in  the  sur- 
rounding country.     They  would  have  the  midday 
meal  with  the  farmer  and  return  at  nightfall  to  the 
barrack.    Usually  this  arrangement  was  relatively 
satisfactory  and  when  it  was  not  it  was  due  to  the 
brutal  and  inconsiderate  attitude  of  the  guard. 
This,  however,  was  the  rare  exception.    The  Brit- 
ish and  French  prisoners  were  as  a  rule  popular 
with  their  farmer  employers  and  their  families  and 
when  well  treated  made  excellent  workmen.    The 


WORKING  CAMPS  143 

prisoner  rarely  attempted  to  escape  and  rarely 
requested  to  be  returned  to  the  parent  camp. 
Even  when  isolated  he  picked  up  a  pidgin  German 
sufficient  for  purposes  of  communication.  This 
vocabulary,  however,  was  too  limited  for  the  dis- 
cussion of  political  questions  and  there  was  less 
discussion  here  as  to  "who  started  the  war"  than 
elsewhere  in  the  civilized  world.  Prisoners  em- 
ployed by  the  larger  landholders  were  less  well 
treated  and  often  without  any  evidence  of  the  hu- 
man relationship  that  on  a  smaller  farm  made  for 
relative  contentment.  Two  elements  made  for  un- 
happiness  in  the  life  of  the  prisoner  of  war,  i.e.,  the 
presence  of  the  guard  with  a  fixed  bayonet  when- 
ever a  man  looked  up  from  his  work,  thus  remind- 
ing him  of  his  state  and  recalling  the  second  ele- 
ment of  worry,  i.e.,  the  fate  of  his  family,  what 
had  become  of  them  and  what  was  to  be  their  fu- 
ture. On  the  farm  the  bayonet  was  entirely  ab- 
sent or  only  appeared  with  the  guard  at  nightfall. 
A  different  story  is  to  be  told  of  land  reclama- 
tion projects.  Here  we  begin  to  deal  with  the 
soulless  corporation,  here  we  begin  to  deal  with  a 
system  of  peonage.  Apart  from  the  agricultural 
population  the  rest  of  the  prisoners  of  war  em- 
ployed in  labor  are  loaned  out  to  corporations 
against  their  will  and  often  against  their  princi- 
ples, to  be  forced  to  work  at  the  point  of  the  bay- 
onet, and  whose  health  and  welfare  and  often 
whose  life  are  of  secondary  consequence  to  the 
results  to  be  obtained  from  their  labor.     One  can 


144     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

easily  see  here  the  possibilities  for  great  evil.  We 
may  assume  that  a  corporation  has  no  soul. 
.When  the  brains  of  the  corporation  realized  in  the 
case  of  the  prisoner  as  the  slaveowner  does  with 
the  slave  that  nervous,  mental  and  physical  health 
are  financial  assets,  the  prisoner  is  well  treated  as 
a  matter  of  business  policy.  Unfortunately  the 
directorate  of  the  large  proportions  of  these  indus- 
tries were  lacking  in  this  type  of  brain  power  and 
this  strangely  enough  was  as  often  found  in  a 
large,  rich  corporation,  employing  thousands  of 
men  as  in  small  corporations  employing  a  few 
hundred. 

The  reason  why  land  reclaimant  projects  pre- 
sent conditions  worse  even  than  those  met  with 
in  the  mining  and  steel  industry  is  because  this 
work  is  let  out  by  the  contract  system  and  the  con- 
tractor was  concerned  only  with  immediate  results 
at  the  minimum  expenditure  for  housing,  food,  etc. 
Eeclamation  projects  for  swamp  land  presents  an 
unhealthy  type  of  work.  When  all  these  condi- 
tions were  taken  into  consideration  it  is  not  sur- 
prising to  find  that  serious  trouble  often  devel- 
oped in  these  camps.  The  bad  handling  and  nag- 
ging unreasonable  attitude  of  the  guard  produces 
a  state  of  mind  on  the  part  of  the  prisoner  which  is 
decidedly  resistant  and  pugnacious.  The  prisoner 
works  throughout  the  entire  day  on  wet  moorland, 
lives  on  a  monotonous  diet  of  canned  foods  and 
returns  each  night  to  sordid,  dirty,  overcrowded 


WORKING  CAMPS  145 

barracks.  This  monotonous  slave  work  continues 
day  after  day  and  month  after  month.  An  un- 
reasonable guard  is  bad  enough  for  men  in  such  a 
temper,  but  when  in  addition  to  this  the  guard  is 
imbued  with  the  idea  and  spirit  of  the  contractor 
and  his  foreman  in  driving  these  men  to  do  ex- 
ceptional work,  to  get  the  last  ounce  of  energy  out 
of  them,  resistance  and  refusal  to  obey  may  be 
expected.  The  prisoner  of  war  has  no  legal 
method  of  protest ;  if  he  refused  to  work  this  is  a 
penal  offence  for  which  in  most  of  the  army  corps 
he  is  court  martialed.  Theoretically  he  ought  to 
have  the  right  of  appeal  to  the  commandant  of  the 
camp.  "When  conditions  are  bad,  and  he  insists 
upon  this  right,  a  charge  of  refusing  to  work  is 
lodged  against  him  by  an  unsympathetic  guard, 
and  in  such  instances  the  word  of  the  guard  is 
taken  against  that  of  the  prisoner.  Theoretically 
the  prisoner  of  war  has  a  right  to  appeal  to  the 
American  Embassy  by  letter,  if  the  guard  does 
not  tear  up  the  letter,  or  the  prison  camp  author- 
ities refuse  to  forward  it  on  the  rights  reserved 
by  them,  as  I  have  noted  elsewhere.  Unless,  there- 
fore, a  member  of  the  Embassy  should  come  across 
these  cases  in  the  routine  inspection,  nothing  is 
done  and  bad  conditions  grow  worse.  While  the 
German  Army  may  have  an  inspection  of  their 
own,  as  far  as  I  could  determine  this  consists  of  a, 
report  from  the  guard,  and  I  never  came  across 
any  evidence  of  an  abatement  of  evil  by  such  in- 


146     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANYi 

spection.  For  this  reason  a  routine  inspection  of 
all  prison  camps  was  planned.  The  magnitude  of 
this  task  may  be  imagined  when  in  the  fourth  army- 
corps  alone  we  were  told  that  there  were  some 
eighteen  thousand  working  camps,  in  three 
thousand  of  which  British  prisoners  were  em- 
ployed. 

WORKING   CAMPS   AND   MINES 

Coal  mining  industry  in  Germany  includes 
not  only  the  deep  underground  mines,  but  also  the 
mining  of  a  soft  brown  coal  from  immense  surface 
pits  where  the  overlying  layers  of  sand  have  been 
removed  by  excavation.  In  the  surface  mining  the 
prisoner  of  war  is  employed  in  loading  and  un- 
loading the  cars  and  most  often  the  sand  cars 
rather  than  the  coal  cars.  He  is  as  a  rule  not  em- 
ployed in  the  pits  and  the  British  prisoner  was  not 
employed  in  the  factories  for  compressing  the  soft 
granular  coal  into  bricklets.  The  French  prison- 
ers were,  however,  employed  in  this  industry. 
The  prisoners  were  as  a  rule  well  housed  and  well 
treated  in  this  soft  coal  district.  In  the  deep  un- 
derground coal  pits  or  coal  mines  an  entirely  dif- 
ferent problem  was  presented.  The  mining  of  the 
coal  does  not  differ  in  process  from  the  same  type 
of  mining  elsewhere.  The  prisoner  of  war  is  em- 
ployed in  the  mines  as  miner's  helpers  and  in  the 
underground  transportation  of  the  coal.  Inas- 
much as  he  is  part  of  a  military  problem  he  should 
take  his  orders  only  from  the  guard.    A  civilian 


WORKING  CAMPS  147 

foreman,  according  to  this  principle,  would  direct 
the  guard,  who  would  in  turn  order  the  men  to  do 
certain  types  of  work.  In  the  coal  mining  indus- 
try the  guard  remained  on  the  surface  while  his 
prisoners  were  sent  into  the  mines  and  were  sub- 
ject to  the  orders  of  the  German  mine  foreman. 
This  delegation  of  authority  often  gave  rise  to 
trouble.  Through  race  hatred,  or  for  other  rea- 
sons, a  prisoner  could  be  very  brutally  handled 
by  the  German  workmen  in  the  mines.  This  could, 
however,  only  be  with  the  cognizance  and  tacit  per- 
mission of  the  guard.  There  is  no  industry  where 
such  great  difference  is  seen  both  in  the  treatment 
of  the  men  and  the  effect  of  good  treatment  on 
Work  production.  In  two  camp  mines  in  the  same 
district  and  within  a  few  miles  of  each  other  I  have 
seen  this  contrast  well  demonstrated.  In  one  of 
the  mining  camps  conditions  were  indescribably 
bad;  the  housing  arrangements  were  dirty,  and 
jdangerous  and  unsanitary.  The  food  was  bad,  the 
guard  was  unreasonable,  and  the  mine  directors 
suspicious,  mercenary  and  altogether  a  bad  lot. 
They  declined  to  show  us  anything  and  refused  us 
permission  to  even  talk  to  the  men  except  when 
they  were  present.  While  the  men  were  talking 
they  busied  themselves,  ostentatiously  taking 
notes  and  glowering  at  the  poor  prisoner.  The 
guard  was  completely  under  their  domination ;  this 
treatment  had  brutalized  the  men  to  such  an  extent 
that  almost  anything  in  the  way  of  resistance  or 
rebellion  might  happen.    The  men  were  compelled 


148     THE  PRISONER  OF.  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

to  work  when  they  were  ill  and  an  inspection  of  the 
report  will  show  the  general  nature  of  the 
medical  attention.  In  another  camp  the  director 
of  the  mines  was  only  too  glad  to  show  everything 
in  connection  with  his  place.  The  men  were 
housed  comfortably,  had  exceptionally  good  facil- 
ities for  bathing,  were  permitted  recreation  and 
were  treated  in  a  human  and  sympathetic  way. 
The  mine  authorities  had  no  complaint  to  make 
against  the  prisoners  and  stated  that  they  were 
good  workmen.  The  prisoners  on  the  other  hand 
had  no  complaint  to  make,  did  not  object  to  work- 
ing in  the  mine,  and  their  only  request  was  that  an 
English  prisoner  be  sent  from  the  parent  camp  as 
a  workman  who  could  play  the  piano  which  they 
had  bought  and  installed  in  a  large  room  with 
sufficient  space  for  entertainments.  The  reaction 
of  the  prisoner  to  his  surroundings  is  no  better 
shown  than  in  these  two  camps.  The  following 
are  two  official  reports  that  will  serve  to  contrast 
these  two  conditions : 

Number  of  Prisoners  of  "War.  There  are  at 
this  camp  375  prisoners  of  war,  of  whom  35  are 
British.     The    ranking    noncommissioned    officer 

is  Lance-Corporal  A.  W.  C ,  2nd  Battalion, 

Sherwood  Foresters. 

Place  of  Employment.  A  coal  mine  near  the 
city  of  Herno  (Zech  Friedrich  der  Grosae). 

Nature  of  Work.  All  the  British  here  are  em- 
ployed underground  in  the  mine,  shoveling  coal, 
loading  ores,  driving  teams,  etc. 


WORKING  CAMPS  149 

Houes  of  Work.  There  are  two  shifts,  as  fol- 
lows: 

Shift  No.  1,  6  a.  m.  to  2  p.  m. 
Shift  No.  2,  2  p.  m.  to  10  p.  m. 

There  is  a  rest  period  of  twenty  minutes  about  the 
middle  of  either  shift,  not,  however,  at  any  defin- 
ite time.  On  Saturdays  one  half  of  the  men,  every 
other  week  in  turn,  work  from  4  a.  m.  to  12  noon, 
and  then  return  to  work  at  9  p.  m.  the  same  night 
and  work  until  5  a.  m.  the  next  morning  (i.e., 
Sunday).    The  weeks  work  equals  56  hours. 

Pay.  The  men  are  paid  eighty  pfennigs  for 
each  shift  of  eight  hours. 

Housing.  The  375  prisoners  of  war  are  all 
housed  in  a  barrack  improvised  from  an  old  brick 
factory  building,  near  the  mine  shaft.  There  are 
two  rooms  on  the  ground  floor,  a  small  entrance  or 
hall  room,  and  a  larger  room,  approximately  75  x 
42  feet.  A  flooring  has  been  put  in  16  feet  above 
the  floor  to  form  a  new  room  above.  In  this  upper 
room  the  British  were  housed.  The  upper  room 
was  approximately  45  x  42  feet  and  12  feet  full 
height.  The  upper  portion  of  five  of  the  building 
windows  give  relatively  little  light  and  practi- 
cally no  ventilation.  Some  of  the  window-panes 
have  been  deliberately  removed  by  the  men  in 
order  to  get  more  air.  Two  open  wood  stairways 
connect  this  room  with  the  room  below.  The  beds 
and  straw  mattresses  are  placed  en  masse  directly 
in  the  floor  in  a  sort  of  box  arrangement.    Each 


150     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY, 

man  is  supplied  with  two  blankets,  so  called.  As  a 
matter  of  fact,  many  of  these  covers  were  ex- 
tremely light  and  conld  in  no  wise  be  considered 
as  blankets.  Some  of  the  men  had  blankets  of  the 
regular  type. 

The  whole  barrack,  and  particularly  the  room 
where  the  British  are  housed,  is  extremely  dirty. 
The  blankets  are  dirty,  the  mattresses  are  dirty, 
the  floors  are  dirty,  the  entrance  room  is  dirty  and 
wet  and  sloppy  from  wash  troughs  just  outside 
the  door.  Here,  on  the  steps  leading  into  the  first 
floor  is  a  room  used  for  a  night  latrine,  with  a  sin- 
gle bucket;  the  arrangement  is  dirty,  and  has  a 
foul  odor,  which  finds  its  way  into  the  building, 
and  about  which  much  complaint  was  made  by  the 
men.     Thirty  five  British  are  housed  in  this  room. 

Latrines.  The  night  latrine,  above  described, 
is  insufficient  for  the  night  needs  of  370  men 
housed  in  these  buildings.  The  day  latrine  is  sit- 
uated in  a  near-by  shed,  built  up  against  a  build- 
ing. It  is  of  the  flushing  system,  with  sewer  con- 
nection, and  has  five  porcelain  hoppers  with  seats. 
It  is  clean,  in  good  order,  and  unobjectionable. 
It  is,  however,  inadequate  for  the  needs  of  370 
men. 

Canteen.  The  canteen  contains  various  toilet 
articles,  soft  drinks,  tobacco,  one  variety  of  cakes, 
and  several  kinds  of  sausage. 

Post  and  Parcels.  Both  mail  and  parcels 
have  been  irregular  and  delayed.  At  times  par- 
cels do  not  arrive  for  two  or  three  weeks.    Often 


WORKING  CAMPS  151 

the  men  are  out  of  food  from  parcels  for  days  and 
must  then  rely  entirely  on  the  camp  food. 

Exercise.  The  men  are  not  allowed  to  go  out- 
side of  the  small  compound,  which  is  not  large 
enough  for  football  or  other  forms  of  relaxa- 
tion. There  is  plenty  of  open  space  in  the  coun- 
try surrounding  the  mine.  There  is  no  other  form 
of  recreation  or  amusement  present  here  save  for 
a  small  phonograph  which  the  men  have  in  their 
barrack. 

Eeligious  Services.  Boman  Catholics  are 
taken  out  from  time  to  time  to  a  near-by  church. 
The  other  British  have  had  services  at  long  inter- 
vals in  a  Union  Church,  where  the  pastor  is  able 
to  speak  English. 

Medical  Attention".  A  civil  physician  is  em- 
ployed by  the  company  and  up  to  two  weeks  ago 
visited  the  camp  every  other  day.  For  the  last 
fortnight  he  has  been  making  daily  visits.  Com- 
plaints were  made  by  the  men  that  their  com- 
plaints of  illness  were  not  properly  investigated 
and  that  the  treatment  was  negligible.  The  sen- 
ior noncommissioned  officer  reported  that  as  a  re- 
sult of  this  the  men  were  often  sent  into  the  mine 
with  bad  colds  and  other  types  of  illness,  when 
they  were  not  fit  for  work.  They  had  no  fault  to 
find  with  the  physician,  whom  they  considered  a 
good  physician;  but  stated  that  there  was  entirely 
too  much  work  for  one  physician  for  the  time  at 
his  and  their  disposal.  The  physician  was  sent 
for  by  Freiherr  yon  Holzhousen  of  the  Inspection 


152     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

at  Minister.  The  physician  stated  that  he  could 
only  afford  an  hour  for  his  visits  to  the  camp. 
His  records  showed  that  during  this  period  of  time 
he  saw  and  prescribed  for  one  day  42  men,  one 
day  46,  one  35.  This  was  taken  at  random  from 
pages  of  the  record.  Of  this  number  from  10  to 
15  were  new  cases  reporting  for  examination.  It 
is  evident  from  this  record  that  the  complaints 
made  by  the  men  as  to  investigation  of  their  cases 
are  justified. 

Baths.  There  are  two  rooms,  one  of  which  is 
used  as  a  store  room  for  the  pit  clothes ;  the  other 
room  adjoining  is  a  bath  room  fitted  up  with  six- 
teen showers  with  hot  and  cold  water.  This  is 
clean  and  in  good  order. 

The  facilities  for  washing  consist  of  two  short 
troughs  against  the  wall  of  the  entrance  room  to 
the  barrack  building,  and  is  entirely  inadequate 
for  the  needs  of  the  men,  in  addition  to  being  un- 
sightly and  slopping  up  the  lower  barrack  room. 
Only  cold  water  is  here  supplied.  An  oblong  tub 
in  the  compound  is  available  for  the  use  of  the 
men  in  doing  their  personal  laundry  work.  This 
again  is  entirely  inadequate  for  the  number  of  men 
in  this  camp. 

Kitchen.  The  kitchen  and  dining  room  are  in 
an  adjoining  barrack.  A  German  woman  cook, 
with  two  women  assistants,  prepare  the  food. 
The  kitchen  has  four  kettles  and  a  range.  The 
food  for  the  midday  meal,  consisting  of  a  thick 
soup  of  beans  and  dried  vegetables  was  to  be 


WORKING  CAMPS  153 

served  with  pickled  herring.  We  tasted  the  soup 
and  found  it  not  unpalatable,  though  inferior  in 
flavor  to  the  average  camp  soup.  The  men  stated 
that  the  bread  ration  was  200  grammes  per  day. 
This  was  confirmed  by  one  of  the  guards.  Po- 
tatoes have  not  been  served  for  several  weeks. 
The  men  stated  that  they  saw  no  evidence  of  meat 
in  the  camp  for  three  months.  A  meal  soup  is 
served  at  5  a.  m.  for  breakfast,  no  coffee  being 
served  at  this  time.  A  coffee  ration  and  herring 
or  sausage  is  taken  into  the  mine  for  second  break- 
fast. Dinner  at  3  p.  m.  is  usually  a  meal  with  veg- 
etable soup.  At  7  p.  m.  soup  is  again  served  in 
the  form  of  a  meat  gruel. 

Complaints.  Complaints  were  made  by  the  men 
of: 

(a)  The  barracks  overcrowding,  lack  of  ventila- 
tion and  latrines. 

(b)  Eough  handling  by  one  of  the  guards. 

(c)  Rough  handling  by  the  civilian  foreman  in 
the  mine. 

(d)  Insufficient  food. 

(e)  Insufficient  medical  attention. 

(f)  Lack  of  space  for  exercise  and  recreation. 

(g)  The  exceptionally  long  hours  of  work  in  the 
change  of  shift. 

(h)  That  complaints  made  by  letter  to  the 
American  Embassy  received  no  attention. 

Complaints,  (a)  The  condition  of  the  bar- 
racks has  already  been  described.  The  men  had 
been  living  here  for  nine  months.    They  did  not 


154     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANYi 

appear  to  be  in  good  health.  The  work  in  the 
mine  during  the  day,  and  the  lack  of  sunlight  and 
fresh  air  in  the  barracks,  together  with  the  over- 
crowding, and  the  location  of  the  British  in  the 
upper  part  of  the  building,  where  the  foul  air 
naturally  collects,  would  all  have  a  tendency  to 
contribute  to  this  condition. 

(b)  The  men  complained  that  one  of  the  guards' 
pushed  and  hauled  the  men  about  at  times  and 
took  an  antagonistic  attitude  towards  them  which 
he  did  not  show  to  other  prisoners.  From  this 
they  inferred  that  his  attitude  and  actions  were 
engendered  by  a  particular  antipathy  to  British 
prisoners  of  war. 

(c)  The  men  complained  that  some  of  the  civil- 
ian foremen  in  the  mine,  under  whom  they 
worked,  were  rough  in  the  handling  of  the  men 
and  at.  times  used  physical  violence  towards  them. 
As  an  example  of  this  they  quoted  the  cases  of 

Private  G ,  L ,  and  L .    Private  L 

had  been  returned  to  the  camp.    Private  G 

who  was  at  work  in  the  mine  was  sent  for,  and 
when  he  came  up,  made  the  following  statement. 

He  stated  that  he  and  L were  working  on 

May  26th,  in  Tunnel  92a,  and  that  the  civilian 
threatened  them  with  his  pick.  They  therefore 
refused  to  work  on  account  of  fear  of  his  violence. 
They  were  then  taken  out  of  this  tunnel  to  shaft 
5  where  they  remained  for  several  hours  up  until 
5  p.  m.,  when  a  civilian  foreman  came  to  them  and 
asked  them  if  they  would  go  to  work.     G 


.a 
u 
o 

Q 


E 

U 


be 
a! 

O 

o 


bfl 


c 
U 


WORKING  CAMPS  155 

stated  that  he  would  and  followed  the  civilian  fore- 
man towards  the  work  designated.  When  he  ar- 
rived at  200  ft.  from  shaft  5  he  was  hit  on  the 
back  of  the  head,  under  the  ear,  with  a  stick  by  the 
civilian  behind  him;  two  other  civilians  who  had 
concealed  their  lamps  and  up  to  then  were  not 
seen  by  him  rushed  at  him,  threw  him  down,  and 
kicked  him  in  the  left  chest  and  left  leg.  They 
then  took  him  up  in  the  cage  (lift)  to  the  Feld- 
webel;  as  the  cage  approached  the  surface  one  of 
the  men  gave  him  a  violent  blow  on  the  jaw  with 
his  fist.  On  account  of  the  bruises,  pains  in  the 
chest,  and  headaches  he  was  unable  to  work  for  a 
month.  The  guards  tried  to  force  him  to  work  at 
first,  but  later  he  was  permitted  to  lay  off.  Since 
that  time  he  has  returned  to  work. 

Thomas  W.  L ,  who  was  seen  at  the  parent 

camp  at  Munster  1,  corroborated  the  statement  of 

G as  to  the  above  occurrence,  and  stated  that 

he  was  present  when  the  civilian  threatened  G- 

with  a  raised  pick;  that  he  was  on  the  following 
day  looking  for  the  head  foreman  when  he  met 

Or on  the  same  errand;  that  he,  L ,  had 

been  working,  and  because  he  had  changed  hands 
when  he  was  pushing  the  car,  he  had  been  beaten 

by  two  civilians;  that  they   (G and  L ) 

were  waiting  at  shaft  5  when  they  agreed  to  the 
suggestion  that  they  return  to  work,  when  the  as- 
sault occurred  as  above  stated.    L did  not  see 

what   happened   to    G ,   but    stated    that   he 

(L )  was  thrown  to  the  ground  by  two  of  the 


156     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

civilians  and  then  beaten  with  clubs  and  kicked; 
that  they  were  taken  up  in  the  cage  (lift)  to  re- 
port to  the  Feldwebel.  L did  not  see  any- 
body hit  G in  the  cage,  but  the  cage  was  dark 

and  he  did  not  see  everything  that  might  have  oc- 
curred. L was  not  a  witness  to  the  above  oc- 
currence and  stated  that  he  had  had  some  quarrel 
with  a  civilian  foreman,  but  that  the  trouble  was 
largely  his  own  fault,  and  he  had  no  complaint  to 
make  about  it.  He  had  suffered  three  days  ar- 
rest for  this  offense.  He  stated  that  when  he  had 
worked  in  the  mine  there  had  been  no  rough 
treatment  on  the  part  of  the  civilians,  nor  had 
he  seen  any  in  that  part  of  the  mine.  An  action 
in  a  civil  court  had  been  brought  against  the  civi- 
lian involved  in  the  above  offense,  and  the  testi- 
mony of  both  men  had  been  heard.  The  case  as 
yet  has  not  been  terminated. 

(d)  Insufficient  medical  attention  has  already 
been  considered  under  medical  care. 

(e)  The  exceptionally  long  hours  of  work  at 
the  change  of  shift  are  considered  under  the  re- 
port of  other  working  camps. 

(f)  Insufficient  food.  The  testimony  of  the 
men  as  to  the  insufficient  quantity  of  food  was 
very  positive.  We  asked  for  the  weekly  menu,  but 
did  not  secure  it  prior  to  our  departure.  It  was 
promised  us  by  mail  by  a  representative  of  the 
mine. 

(g)  All  the  matters  above  complained  of  were 
brought  to  the  attention  of  the  inspection  at  Mun- 


WORKING  CAMPS  157 

ster,  who  promised  that  the  conditions  there  would 
be  remedied  as  soon  as  possible.  A  staff  medical 
officer  was  sent  the  following  day  to  look  into  the 
question  of  the  medical  care  of  the  camp.  The 
legal  action  against  the  civilians  will  be  pushed 
to  an  eventual  conclusion.  The  barracks,  we  were 
promised,  would  have  immediate  attention  and 
the  evils  above  mentioned  would  be  corrected  by 
removing  the  British  from  their  present  quarters 
to  hygienic  surroundings.  In  a  later  statement 
from  the  inspection  at  Munster  we  are  advised 
that  the  British  are  to  be  removed  from  the  garret 
barrack  and  are  to  be  provided  with  other  and 
proper  quarters  as  a  result  of  the  chief  medical 
officer  of  the  inspection,  above  referred  to. 

WORKING   CAMP   AT  LANGENDREER    (ZECHESIEBEN 
FLAENTEN)    PARENT   CAMP   MUNSTER   II 

The  following  is  an  official  report  of  a  visit  of 
inspection  of  the  working  camp  for  prisoners  of 
war  at  Langendreer,  on  July  17, 1916. 

Previous  Eeports.  Mr.  Dresel  on  April  11th, 
1916. 

Prisoners  of  War.  Total  309,  British  143, 
Senior  noncommissioned  officer,  Corporal  H. 
B ,  Royal  Dublin  Fusiliers. 

Place  of  Work.  Coal  mines  and  coke  ovens  in 
the  town  of  Langendreer. 

Nature  of  Work.  Seventy  British  prisoners  of 
war  work  in  the  mine  handling  coal,  driving  teams, 
etc. ;  the  others  are  employed  in  feeding  the  coke 


158     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

ovens,  withdrawing  the  coke,  and  in  general  work 
about  the  plant.  The  senior  noncommissioned  of- 
ficer is  employed  in  the  office  and  is  in  charge  of 
the  parcels. 

Houks  of  Work.  Day  shift :  6  a.  m.  to  8  a.  m.  ; 
8.30  a.  m.  to  12  noon;  1.30  p.m.  to  4  or  5  p.m. 
Night  shift :  5  p.  m.  to  9  p.  m.  ;  9.30  p.  m.  to  1  a.  m.  ; 
3  a.  m.  to  7  A.  M. 

On  the  change  of  shift  every  other  Sunday,  the 
men  work  for  twenty-four  hours,  with  the  inter- 
mission stated  above.  Although  the  men  are  paid 
five  marks  for  this  double  shift,  they  would  prefer 
to  have  it  changed. 

Pay.  The  men  are  paid  from  marks  1  to  marks 
1.20  per  day  with  5  marks  for  the  double  shift,  and 
the  coke  men  80  or  90  pfennigs  for  a  half  day 
Sunday  when  they  work. 

Barracks.  Since  Mr.  Dresel's  report,  changes 
have  been  made  in  the  housing  arrangements  fol- 
lowing the  suggestions  made  therein. 

The  first  barrack,  35x27x20  feet  has  24 
built-in,  double-tier,  bunks  arranged  around  one 
side,  leaving  a  large  floor  area  free.  There  are 
four  large  windows  and  two  ventilators.  The 
mattresses  are  of  straw,  with  three  blankets,  all 
in  good  condition  and  well  cared  for.  In  the  cor- 
ner of  the  room  is  a  wash  sink,  adequate  for  the 
twenty-two  men  in  this  room.  The  room  has 
plenty  of  light,  is  clean  and  well  ventilated.  It 
has  a  piano  and  the  room  is  used  as  a  concert  and 
recreation  room  by  the  British  in  the  camp. 


Working  camps  159 

The  second  barrack  is  a  gable,  wood  barrack, 
65x18  feet  and  15  feet  high.  It  has  four  win- 
dows and  two  new  ventilators,  3x8  feet  in  the 
roof  installed  according  to  suggestions  made  by- 
Mr.  Dresel  at  the  time  of  his  inspection.  This 
gives  to  this  room  plenty  of  ventilation  and  there 
is  now  nothing  to  complain  about  in  this  barrack. 
The  beds  and  bedding  are  in  Barrack  No.  1. 
Thirty-five  men  are  housed  here. 

The  third  barrack  is  a  transformed  factory 
building,  as  described  in  Mr.  Dresel 's  report. 
The  barrack  has  three  rooms,  arranged  in  "U" 
shape ;  the  smaller  room  is  approximately  16  x  34 
feet ;  the  room  opposite  to  this  is  16  x  30  feet ;  and 
the  large  room  where  the  British  are  housed  is 
approximately  40  x  30  feet  x  20  high.  This  latter 
room  has  four  large  windows,  and  three  new  ven- 
tilators, have  been  installed  since  Mr.  Dresel 's 
visit.  A  small  room  adjoining  the  large  room, 
hous.es  six  British.  This  room  is  20  x  12  feet. 
The  bed  and  bedding  are  the  same  as  in  the  other 
barracks.  There  is  a  wash  room  with  six  basins 
between  the  two  end  rooms. 

Latrines.  The  latrine  is  of  the  pail  system, 
housed  in  a  long  outhouse  and  has  20  large-sized 
pails,  covered  by  wooden  top  seats.  These  are 
emptied  daily,  are  disinfected  after  use,  and  at 
the  time  of  inspection  were  in  good  condition. 
They  had  the  odor  of  the  disinfectant  and  were 
unobjectionable.  A  urinal  with  running  water  is 
provided. 


160     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

Baths.  The  baths  have  been  described  in  de- 
tail in  the  previous  report.  They  are  exception- 
ally good,  with  modern  equipment.  Laundry 
facilities  are  provided  in  the  form  of  two  troughs 
with  hot  and  cold  water,  with  a  capacity  for  simul- 
taneous use  by  twenty-two  men. 

Kitchen.  The  kitchen,  canteen,  and  dining- 
room  are  housed  in  a  separate,  wood,  barrack 
building.  The  kitchen  is  equipped  with  three 
kettles  and  a  range.  The  food  is  prepared  by  two 
prisoner-of-war  cooks,  one  of  whom  is   British 

(Lance   Corporal   H ).    He   stated  that  the 

food  stuffs  supplied  to  the  kitchen  were  of  good 
quality.  We  inspected  and  tested  the  food  pre- 
pared for  the  noon  meal.  It  consisted  of  a  meat 
and  vegetable  soup  of  good  flavor. 

The  British  cook  stated  that  the  British  prison- 
ers of  war  usually  took  the  noonday  meal,  but 
subsisted  largely  otherwise  from  the  contents  of 
their  own  packages.  A  director  of  the  company, 
who  accompanied  us  on  our  visit,  stated  that  the 
cost  of  food  per  man  was  marks  1.65  per  day. 
The  men  are  permitted  to  use  the  range  to  cook 
the  food  from  their  own  packages  received  from 
home,  and  hot  water  for  tea  is  provided. 

Canteen.  The  canteen  has  for  sale  wine,  soft 
drinks,  tobacco,  toilet  articles,  cakes  and  biscuits. 

Mail  and  Parcels.  Both  mail  and  parcels  are 
delivered.  The  parcels  are  very  much  delayed  at 
times  in  transit  from  the  parent  camp. 

Clothes  and  Shoes.    All  the  British  have  good 


WORKING  CAMPS  161 

clothes,  underclothes  and  shoes,  with  the  excep- 
tion of  seven  men  from  the  Koyal  Warwick  Regi- 
ment  who  are  in  need  of  the  black  uniforms  for  use 
when  not  working. 

Recreation".  The  men  have  the  use  of  the  yard 
for  exercise.  They  requested  a  large  place  for 
football.  A  large  field  next  to  the  works  will  be 
assigned  to  the  men  in  a  short  time,  when  the 
grain  has  been  harvested. 

The  men  have  bought  a  piano,  which  is  placed 
in  Barrack  No.  1,  and  this,  together  with  four 
other  instruments,  form  a  small  orchestra. 

Religious  Services.  The  Roman  Catholics  are 
permitted  to  go  to  church  from  time  to  time.  The 
British  have  been  taken  out  two  or  three  times  to 
a  Union  Church  (Methodist)  where  the  pastor  is 
able  to  speak  to  them  in  English.  The  clergyman 
has  visited  the  men  from  time  to  time,  but  not  dur- 
ing the  last  three  months.  The  request  of  the  men 
that  they  be  taken  to  his  church  from  time  to  time, 
or,  that  if  he  cared  to  visit  the  camp,  he  be  per- 
mitted to  do  so,  was  readily  granted. 

Complaints.  The  only  complaint  the  men  had 
to  make,  apart  from  the  delay  in  the  parcels,  was 
in  reference  to  the  long  Sunday  shift  every  sec- 
ond week.  This  matter  was  taken  up  with  the 
inspection  for  prisoners  of  war  at  Munster.  It 
was  stated  that  this  was  a  difficult  matter,  and  the 
present  shift  was  that  of  the  German  workmen  in 
times  of  peace  and  at  the  present  time.  The  in- 
spection would,  however,  give  this  matter  its  at- 


162     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

tention  and  rearrange  the  time  if  possible,  but  did 
not  think  much  could  be  done. 

Comments.  The  overcrowding  referred  to  by 
Mr.  Dresel  in  his  report  has  been  largely  corrected 
by  a  reduction  in  the  number  of  prisoners  of  war 
from  351  to  309.  The  changes  in  the  barracks 
suggested  by  him  have  already  been  effected. 
There  is  a  good  spirit  between  the  men,  the  man- 
agement and  the  noncommissioned  officer  in 
charge.  The  attitude  of  the  management,  in  their 
care  of  the  men  after  attention  has  been  called  to 
it,  appears  to  us  to  be  all  that  can  be  desired. 
There  is  now  nothing  to  complain  of  in  reference 
to  this  camp. 

Attached  to  coal  mines  and  often  a  corporate 
part  of  the  business  corporation  were  found  coke 
and  steel  industries.  While  the  same  variation 
obtained  as  to  the  housing  and  treatment  of  the 
men,  in  the  majority  of  cases  the  treatment  was 
good.  The  work  was  hard  and  the  hours  at  times 
were  long,  particularly  on  the  change  of  shift  at 
the  end  of  the  week.  Extra  compensation  was 
paid  to  the  men  who  had  mastered  the  technical 
details  of  the  work.  Complaint  was  made  from 
time  to  time  that  munitions  were  being  made  in  the 
larger  establishment.  Only  in  rare  instances 
were  prisoners  found  who  came  in  direct  contact 
with  munition  work.  As  a  rule,  the  British  pris- 
oner of  war  refused  to  work  directly  on  muni- 
tions 5  for  refusal  to  do  this  work  in  some  instances 


WORKING  CAMPS  163 

the  prisoner  was  punished  and  in  other  instances 
transferred  to  other  work.  In  one  of  the  muni- 
tion works  inspected  a  British  prisoner  was  found 
stamping  shell  cases;  in  direct  connection  with 
this  subject  is  the  manufacture  of  explosives. 
British  prisoners  of  war  were  found  assigned  to 
this  work  in  one  of  the  camps  inspected. 

MISCELLANEOUS   INDUSTRIOUS   WORK 

Prisoners  are  found  at  work  in  practically  every 
variety  of  industry.  They  are  employed  either  on 
the  railroad,  doing  construction  work,  repairing 
the  road-bed,  or  in  loading  or  unloading  cars ;  in 
ordinary  road  construction  work  both  in  and  out 
of  the  military  zone,  in  brick  works,  in  quarries, 
in  iron  and  steel  factories,  in  the  construction  of 
buildings,  in  the  disposal  of  garbage  and  waste, 
in  retail  coal  yards,  etc. 

Housing.  In  large  industrial  plants  special  bar- 
racks have  been  constructed  and  during  the  sum- 
mer of  1916  the  general  tendency  on  the  part  of 
the  large  employer  of  prison  labor  and  at  the  in- 
stance of  the  German  authorities  a  tendency  was 
shown  to  approach  a  model  type  of  construction 
with  good  treatment,  plenty  of  light  and  ventila- 
tion. In  near-by  plants  a  rivalry  in  a  camp  for 
prison  labor  was  sometimes  shown.  In  large  in- 
dustrial centers  a  portion  of  the  factory  building 
was  sometimes  used,  at  times  ordinary  dwelling 
houses  in  cities  were  transformed  into  barracks. 
Each  prisoner  was  supplied  with  a  mattress  j  this 


164     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

might  be  laid  on  the  floor  in  a  single  or  double  tier 
bunk  or  placed  on  a  double  tier  army  cot.  Each 
prisoner  was  supplied  with  two  blankets.  Be- 
tween the  conditions  described  at  Heme  and  a 
model  camp  all  grades  of  good  and  bad  conditions 
are  met  with.  It  might  be  stated  that  the  arrange- 
ment for  a  poor  type  of  workman  might  be  con- 
sidered good,  but  viewed  from  the  standpoint  of 
many  of  the  enlisted  men  in  the  new  army,  both 
English  and  Colonials,  the  average  to  say  the  least 
of  it  is  uncomfortable. 

Baths  and  Sanitation  in  Working  Camps. 

In  the  larger  plants  free  and  full  facilities  for 
bathing  are  offered.  In  quite  a  number  of  the 
smaller  camps  no  such  provision  was  found.  In 
the  summer  time,  however,  opportunity  was  oc- 
casionally offered  in  the  near-by  rivers  and 
streams  near  the  camps.  Latrines  are,  as  a  rule, 
in  the  working  camps,  of  simple  construction  and 
only  rarely,  and  that  in  the  larger  camps,  was  a 
flushing  system  met  with.  Medical  attention  is 
usually  provided  by  the  corporation.  Large  cor- 
porations usually  had  their  own  physician,  smaller 
corporations  consulted  a  local  physician  for  ill- 
ness. In  many  of  the  prison  camps  the  matter  of 
consulting  a  physician  was  left  to  the  guard. 
"While  as  a  rule  this  worked  out  satisfactorily,  at 
times  it  led  to  grave  injustice  to  the  sick  men  who 
were  neglected  by  this  guard  who  thought  they 
were  malingering.    When  a  prisoner  was  so  ill 


WORKING  CAMPS  165 

that  he  could  not  work  he  was  returned  to  the 
camp  hospital  for  treatment. 

Food.  Except  in  the  agricultural  communities 
the  British  prisoner  depends  largely  upon  his 
packages  received  from  home.  In  many  of  the 
large  working  camps  the  fact  that  the  well-fed 
prisoner  does  better  work  led  to  an  increase  in  the 
ordinary  prison  ration. 

Complaints  were  almost  universal  as  to  the 
quantity  and  quality  of  the  food  served.  Apart 
from  the  coffee  served  in  the  morning  and  the  oc- 
casonal  pickled  fish  in  the  evening,  the  main  meal 
in  the  day  was  in  the  form  of  a  soup.  While  the 
prisoner  did  not  like  this  and  complained  about  it 
when  at  hard  work,  he  partook  of  it  to  reenforce 
his  food  package.  The  ration  of  bread  was  300 
grammes  (about  10  ounces).  During  the  summer 
of  1915  meat  ration  was  300  grammes  (about  10 
ounces).  In  some  of  the  camps  the  meat  ration 
was  exceeded  and  was  occasionally  served  as  meat 
instead  of  in  the  form  of  soup. 

Clothing.  Practically  all  the  British  prisoners 
were  supplied  with  clothes  from  England.  The 
regulations  provided  that  when  a  prisoner  leaves 
the  parent  camp  he  must  be  supplied  with  suit- 
able clothing  and  leather  boots,  but  after  the  work 
has  begun  he  must  make  replacements  from  his 
own  wages.  In  rare  instances  the  prisoner  was 
unable  to  secure  leather  shoes  and  was  obliged 
to  wear  sabots.  The  working  clothes  of  the  pris- 
oner of  war  are  made  distinctive  by  sewing  into 


166     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY) 

the  sleeve  of  the  coat  a  yellow  stripe  of  canvas 
about  three  inches  wide  and  a  stripe  of  equal 
width  into  either  trouser  leg.  In  addition  to  this 
the  prisoner's  number  is  often  stamped  on  the 
coat.  This  uniform  is  distinctive  and  attempts 
to  escape  are  infrequent.  I  have  known  prisoners 
to  successfully  escape  from  a  working  camp  and 
return  safely  to  the  parent  camp  instead  of  at- 
tempting to  leave  the  country. 

Compensation  for  Work.  Compensation  is 
calculated  for  work  by  the  day ;  in  rare  instances 
by  the  piece;  and  in  some  instances  an  allotted 
quantity  of  work  must  be  finished  each  day.  The 
rate  of  pay  is  determined  by  contract  between  the 
employers  and  the  army  corps  commanders.  The 
contractor  pays  to  the  prisoner  one  quarter  of  the 
fixed  wage,  the  other  three  quarters  are  expended 
for  housing,  support  and  guarding.  While  he  is 
not  compelled  to  supply  him  with  clothes,  in  some 
of  the  mines  and  large  industries  working  clothes 
were  furnished.  If  the  workman  is  supposed  to 
equal  in  his  output  that  of  the  German  workman 
he  is  paid  a  quarter  that  of  the  normal  wage.  If, 
however,  his  employer  estimates  him  at  only  fifty 
cents,  he  is  paid  in  this  proportion.  Inasmuch  as 
it  is  considered  a  risk  to  let  a  prisoner  of  war  have 
German  money,  he  is  paid  in  "camp  money. " 
This  camp  money  is  used  not  only  in  the  working 
camps,  but  also  in  the  parent  camps ;  it  is  entirely 
different  from  the  German  currency  and  both  pa- 
per and  iron  money  are  distinctively  stamped  as 


WORKING  CAMPS  167 

camp  money.  The  usual  compensation  for  farm 
work  was  from  16  to  30  pfennigs  (3  to  5  cents  per 
day),  in  the  smaller  industries  from  30  to  50  pfen- 
nigs (6  to  10  cents  per  day) ;  in  the  larger  techni- 
cal industries  75  pfennigs  to  1  mark  per  day  (15  to 
20  cents  per  day).  In  rare  instances  skilled  men 
have  been  paid  as  high  as  two  and  even  three 
marks  per  day  (20  to  75  cents  per  day). 

In  agricultural  communities  where  a  prisoner 
is  billeted  with  the  farmer,  the  hours  are  usually 
those  of  the  German  farmhand.  When  the  pris- 
oner is  distributed  from  the  central  barrack  to 
farms  he  works  from  6  a.  m.  to  6  or  even  7  p.  m., 
with  an  intermission  for  breakfast  at  eight  o  'clock, 
dinner  at  one  and  coffee  again  at  four.  If  the 
barracks  are  near  the  farm  he  is  called  at  5  a.  m. 
and  if  at  some  distance  he  may  be  called  even  ear- 
lier. The  hours  of  labor  in  an  industrial  estab- 
lishment are  fairly  uniform  and  are  as  follows : 

From  6  a.  m.  to  8  a.  m.  ;  8.15  a.  m.  to  12  noon ; 
12.30  p.  m.  to  4  p.  m.  ;  4.15  p.  m.  to  6  p.  m. 

While  the  labor  is  rarely  excessive,  as  far  as 
we  could  observe,  no  attempt  was  made  to  select 
men  according  to  their  mental  and  physical  quali- 
fications for  the  particular  work  to  which  they 
were  assigned.  While  the  men  in  the  army  are 
usually  physically  fit,  long  periods  of  incarcera- 
tion in  the  prison  camps  with  the  nervous  stress 
and  worry  often  led  to  a  lack  of  physical  and  nerv- 
ous tone.  Some  of  the  men  of  lighter  build,  and 
those  who  had  been  ill  often,  complained  of  the. 


168     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

severity  of  the  work.  Usually  as  a  matter  of  effi- 
ciency an  employer  placed  such  men  on  lighter 
types  of  work.  It  will  appear  as  a  matter  of  gen- 
eral efficiency  that  it  would  have  been  much  better 
if  some  real  classification  of  the  prisoner  of  war 
had  been  attempted,  and  work  assigned  as  to 
training  and  general  qualifications. 

In  the  Westphalia  district  much  complaint  was 
heard  as  to  the  British  prisoner  as  a  workman. 
He  did  not  work  willingly ;  he  gave  much  trouble, 
and  was  generally  disliked.  Some  of  the  com- 
mandants stated  that  some  of  the  factory  employ- 
ers would  not  accept  the  British  prisoners  as 
workmen,  and  had  distinctly  specified  that  they 
would  accept  only  French,  Eussian,  or  Belgians. 
They  also,  as  indeed  did  the  employer,  consider 
the  French  prisoners  as  the  most  desirable  work- 
men for  machine  work  and  the  Eussians  for  agri- 
cultural work.  The  British  prisoner,  however, 
was  acceptable  on  the  farms  and  worked  there 
willingly  and  effectively.  If  we  inquire  into  the 
reasons  for  this  we  will  find  that  the  British  pris- 
oner had  much  on  his  side  of  the  argument.  A 
consideration  of  this  entails  a  consideration  of  the 
problems  of  the  inspection  of  working  camps. 


CHAPTER  XI 

THE   PROBLEM   INVOLVED   IN   THE   INSPECTION 
OP   WORKING   CAMPS 

WHILE  the  prisoner  of  war  was  confined  in 
large  concentration  parent  camps,  the 
problem  was  in  the  main  sense  a  military 
one  and  conditions  could  be  treated  from  a  mili- 
tary standpoint  and  the  inspection  considered 
largely  as  a  military  one.  When  evils  were  to  be 
corrected,  we  dealt  either  with  the  military  au- 
thorities, or  if  this  failed,  by  direct  negotiations, 
through  the  foreign  office  with  the  Central  Minis- 
try of  War. 

When  the  large  majority  of  prisoners  were 
transferred  to  working  camps,  entirely  new  prob- 
lems were  presented.  While  the  problem  was  still 
a  military  problem  in  theory,  as  a  matter  of  prac- 
tice it  was  converted  into  a  sociological  and  social 
service  problem.  The  Government,  in  hiring  out 
the  prisoner  to  an  industrial  corporation,  while 
theoretically  contracting  only  for  a  disposition  of 
labor,  created  new  conditions  involving  the  health, 
the  housing  and  the  rights  of  the  prisoner  in  ref- 
erence to  humane  treatment,  recreation,  religion, 
etc.  In  theory  these  matters  still  remained  under 
the  military  authorities   as  represented  by  the 

169 


170     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

German  noncommissioned  officer  or  enlisted 
guard.  It  was  too  much,  however,  to  expect  that 
a  simple  soldier  would  not  be  influenced,  even 
dominated,  and  indeed  his  authority  superseded, 
by  the  civilian  employer  of  prison  labor.  In  the 
early  days  of  the  working  camp  problem  it  became 
evident  in  certain  districts  the  employers  had 
reached  an  agreement  to  resist  inspection  and  to 
limit  it  as  far  as  possible.  Their  attitude  was  an- 
tagonistic ;  it  was  only  after  much  trouble  in  such 
districts  that  any  sort  of  inspection  was  permit- 
ted. At  this  time  the  rules  governing  the  inspec- 
tion of  the  working  camps  were  the  same  as  those 
for  parent  camps  embodied  in  the  official  permis- 
sion granted  by  the  various  provincial  war 
ministries.  Under  this  permission  a  fully  com- 
plete inspection  pertaining  to  the  housing,  the 
health,  conditions  of  work,  etc.,  were  cov- 
ered. In  the  inspection  of  the  working  camps 
near  Wittenberg  it  was  not  only  evident  that  the 
employers  of  prison  labor  were  in  agreement 
amongst  themselves  to  resist  inspection,  but  there 
was  also  some  evidence  that  this  was  supported 
by  the  military  authorities.  As  the  summer  of 
1916  advanced  and  following  the  inspection  of 
working  camp  conditions  in  the  congested  manu- 
facturing districts  in  Westphalia  definite  restric- 
tions were  placed  upon  the  extent  to  which  an  in- 
spection could  be  carried.  Large  coal  and  steel 
barons  working  in  this  district  and  having  the 
political  and  financial  influence  of  the  Scha  Ver- 


THE  INSPECTION  OF  WORKING  CAMPS     171 

band  eventually  forced  the  military  authorities 
and  the  Government  into  a  position  which  was  as 
unfair  from  a  military  standpoint  as  it  was  to  the 
prisoner  of  war.  They  held  as  justification  for 
this  that  if  a  full  inspection  were  permitted  that 
certain  trade  secrets  might  be  revealed  to  those 
whose  duty  it  was  to  make  the  inspection.  While 
this  might  be  true  in  a  few  industries,  it  is  difficult 
to  see  what  secrets  could  be  revealed  by  the  in- 
spection of  the  barracks  where  coal  miners  were 
housed  or  even  in  the  mines  themselves.  The 
Ministry  of  War  ruled  that  these  camps  could  only 
be  inspected  after  previous  notice,  and  divided  the 
working  camps  into  four  groups  as  follows : 

A.  Those  in  which  a  full  inspection,  including 
the  place  of  work,  would  be  permitted. 

B.  Where  the  barracks  alone  could  be  inspected. 

C.  Where  the  men  could  be  communicated  with 
outside  of  the  premises,  but  where  the  inspectors 
would  not  be  permitted  to  see  either  the  place  of 
work  or  the  barracks. 

D.  Where  no  inspection  at  all  was  permitted. 
In  the  Westphalia  district,  as  indeed  elsewhere 

in  Germany,  practically  all  places,  with  the  excep- 
tion of  the  agricultural  industries,  were  placed 
under  B,  C,  or  D.  It  was  perfectly  evident  after 
an  investigation  that  the  manufacturers  them- 
selves had  designated  their  own  industries  under 
these  various  classes  and  that  the  military  author- 
ities had  accepted  this  without  question  or  inves- 
tigation. 


172     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

This  apparently  made  the  matter  of  inspection 
of  working  camps  a  farce.     In  the  Westphalia  dis- 
trict we  were  not  even  permitted  to  speak  to  the 
men  except  in  the  presence  of  their  civilian  em- 
ployers.   If,  therefore,  one  conld  not  inspect  the 
nature  of  the  work,  could  not  see  the  barracks  in 
which  they  were  housed,  could  not  inspect  the  san- 
itary arrangements,  the  food,  etc.,  and  could  not 
interview  the  prisoner  of  war  except  in  the  pres- 
ence of  the  civilian  employer  and  the  guard,  who 
practically  had  the  power  of  life  and  death  over 
the  men,  what  possible  good  could  be  obtained 
from  the  difficult  and  disagreeable  work  of  inspec- 
tion.   Notice  was  served,  however,  on  the  army 
corps  command  that  under  these  circumstances  the 
statement  of  the  prisoner  of  war  must  be  accepted 
by  the  Embassy  as  a  correct  and  truthful  report 
as  to  the  above  conditions  and  would  be  so  in- 
cluded in  the   official  report  upon  the   subject. 
Even  before  the  above  regulations  were  put  in 
force  Mr.  Dresel,  working  in  the  Westphalia  dis- 
trict, had  given  such  offense  by  taking  affidavits  of 
the  prisoners  of  war  as  to  conditions  in  places  that 
he  was  not  permitted  to  visit,  that  the  army  corps 
command  refused  to  have  him  make  any  more 
inspections  in  this  district  and  this  position  was 
supported  by  the  Ministry  of  War.    It  was  found 
as  a  matter  of  practical  experience  by  Dr.  Taylor 
and  myself  in  the  inspection  work  in  this  district 
and  elsewhere  that  all  these  difficulties  could  be 
surmounted  and  good  results  obtained  by  keeping 


THE  INSPECTION  OP  WORKING  CAMPS     173 

strictly  to  a  military  method  of  procedure.  On  a 
reinspection  tour  of  the  Westphalia  district  we 
requested  that  a  staff  officer  from  the  army  corps 
command  be  assigned  with  us  for  a  joint  inspec- 
tion. This  officer  proved  to  be  as  anxious  to  im- 
prove conditions  as  were  we.  He  soon  realized 
that  the  survey  was  a  matter  of  scientific  proced- 
ure, that  our  attitude  was  fair  and  without  bias. 
In  working  camps  which  might  be  classed  under 
B  or  C  or  D,  and  where  it  was  perfectly  evident 
from  the  attitude  of  the  employer,  the  guard,  the 
surroundings,  and  the  complaints  of  the  prisoner 
of  war,  the  conditions  were  not  as  they  should  be, 
he  himself  ordered,  upon  our  request,  full  liberty 
of  inspection.  Even  in  working  camps  classed 
under  B  and  C  where  conditions  were  good  pro- 
prietors themselves  without  question  threw  their 
whole  plant  open  to  full  inspection.  It  became 
perfectly  evident,  therefore,  not  only  to  us,  but  to 
the  German  staff  officer  that  in  cases  where  the 
employers  stood  rigidly  upon  their  classification 
that  there  was  very  good  ground  to  believe  that 
they  had  something  to  hide.  This  method  had 
the  further  advantage  that  the  representative 
from  the  army  corps  command  could  be  shown  con- 
ditions as  we  saw  them  and  could  order  the  cor- 
rection of  evils  on  the  spot.  He  soon  realized 
that  it  would  be  just  as  unfair  to  the  employer  and 
the  military  to  take  the  statement  of  the  prisoner 
of  war  without  an  investigation,  as  it  was  to  the 
inspection  and  to  the  prisoner  of  war  to  forego 


174     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

such  an  inspection.  A  fair  and  reasonable  atti- 
tude towards  conditions  as  they  existed  was  here 
met  with  an  equally  fair  and  reasonable  attitude 
towards  the  correction  of  them.  While  the  report 
of  some  of  the  matters  complained  of  were  imme- 
diately controlled  by  their  own  experts,  upon  the 
final  interview  with  the  general  in  charge  of  the 
prisoners  of  war  at  the  army  corps  headquarters 
the  conditions  as  reported  upon  were  admitted 
and  methods  of  relief  and  correction  agreed  upon. 
The  essentials  for  handling  of  such  a  complex 
problem  are : 

A.  An  expert  knowledge  of  the  fundamental 
principles  involved,  equal  to  that  of  the  German 
staff  experts. 

B.  A  knowledge  of  the  military  factors  in- 
volved. 

C.  Ability  to  have  the  German  military  man 
see  the  problem  as  it  is  presented  to  the  neutral 
observer  viewing  it  as  a  scientific  and  not  a  polit- 
ical problem.  To  have  one 's  work  investigated  by 
a  German  expert  and  found  wanting  would  natur- 
ally mean  failure  to  secure  results  not  only  at  this 
time  but  in  subsequent  inspections.  If  to  this  be 
added  the  knowledge  that  the  inspectors  were  men 
educated  and  trained  in  German  Universities  and 
knew  what  German  science  in  times  of  peace  could 
and  would  not  stand  for,  much  would  be  added  to 
the  value  of  their  opinions  and  protest. 

It  soon  became  evident  that  the  great  problem  of 
the  working  camp  inspection  was  its  size.    In  the 


THE  INSPECTION  OF  WORKING  CAMPS      175 

6th  army  corps  alone  there  were  18,000  working 
camps  and  of  this  3,000  included  British  prison- 
ers of  war  and  probably  an  equal  number  of  Ser- 
vian prisoners ;  in  this  district,  therefore,  working 
at  the  rate  of  eight  working  camps  a  day,  it  would 
take  one  group  of  inspectors  a  year  to  cover  the 
field  for  a  single  inspection.  This  would  leave  no 
time  for  follow-up  inspections  or  for  the  solving 
of  particular  problems.  One  would  not  consider 
the  inspection  of  parent  camps,  officers'  camps, 
hospitals,  insane  asylums  and  jails  in  the  same  dis- 
trict. While  one  visit  a  year  would  be  sufficient 
for  the  agricultural  country,  in  the  manufacturing 
districts  a  periodic  survey  at  intervals  of  every 
three  or  four  months  could  be  made.  This  would 
not  be  necessary  if  the  military  authorities  per- 
mitted free  communication  with  the  Embassy  by 
the  prisoners,  or  had  even  permitted  a  monthly 
report  from  the  noncommissioned  officers  to  the 
Embassy,  and  if  in  addition  to  this,  they  would 
be  willing  to  report  deaths  by  violence  on  the  part 
of  the  guard  and  court  martials  against  prisoners 
of  war  where  extended  sentence  of  jail  imprison- 
ment were  asked  for.  Inasmuch  as  all  of  these 
matters  were  refused  and  were  only  discovered 
accidentally  on  routine  inspection  the  necessity 
for  constant  contact  with  the  prisoners  in  the 
working  camps  became  evident.  The  only  way 
the  field  could  be  approximately  covered  was  by 
well  organized  method  of  inspection.  This  was 
finely  worked  out  as  follows:    Eight  inspectors 


176     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

were  assigned  to  this  work,  two  to  six,  they  were 
to  work  in  pairs;  each  group  was  to  have  head- 
quarters in  one  of  the  congested  areas  instead  of 
in  Berlin.  In  this  way  they  would  be  in  close 
touch  with  the  working  camps  and  also  with  the 
army  corps  headquarters.  Inspection  was  to  be 
routine  every  four  months.  The  inspectors  were 
to  report  to  the  secretary  of  the  Embassy,  whose 
duty  it  would  be  to  organize  and  make  this  work 
effective.  He  would  have  the  assistance  of  a 
trained  man  to  compile  records,  file  and  transmit 
reports.  This  scheme  was  only  partially  worked 
out  when  diplomatic  relations  were  broken. 

On  account  of  the  restrictions  imposed  upon  the 
inspection  of  working  camps  cooperation  with  the 
German  authorities  was  to  be  secured  and  a  joint 
inspection  made  with  an  officer  assigned  from  the 
headquarters,  whenever  possible. 

Inasmuch  as  the  use  of  the  prisoner  of  war  for 
work  on  such  a  tremendous  scale  had  never  before 
been  presented  as  a  problem,  many  of  the  difficul- 
ties encountered  were  due  to  a  lack  of  understand- 
ing on  both  sides  as  to  rules  and  methods  of  pro- 
cedure. The  German  authorities,  standing  on 
The  Hague  Convention  and  treating  the  prisoner 
of  war  as  a  trained  soldier,  ordered  him  to  work 
and  expected  him  to  obey  without  question.  They 
did  not  take  into  consideration  his  status  as  a  pris- 
oner and  as  a  human  being ;  his  previous  training, 
his  mental  attitude  both  towards  work  and  to- 
wards the  effect  that  this  might  have  in  aiding  the 


S 

o 


g 


c 
o 


THE  INSPECTION  OF  WORKING  CAMPS     177 

enemy.  As  a  human  being  he  often  reserved  the 
right  of  demand  as  to  what  work  he  was  to  be  as- 
signed, and  sometimes  refuses  to  work  unless  he 
was  so  told.  He  complained  bitterly  that  at  times 
he  was  promised  certain  kinds  of  work  and  then 
compelled  to  do  work  of  an  entirely  different  na- 
ture. Under  such  circumstances  he  sometimes 
refused,  thereby  coming  in  conflict  with  his  cap- 
tors. As  a  human  being  he  also  demanded  rea- 
sonable living  quarters  and  sufficient  food  upon 
which  to  do  the  work  assigned  to  him.  "When  con- 
ditions were  unbearable  he  demanded  the  right  to 
communicate  with  his  commandant  of  the  parent 
camps.  This  was  practically  always  refused  him 
and  often  led,  as  above  stated,  to  an  accusation  of 
refusing  to  work  or  of  conspiracy  leading  to  a 
court  martial. 

The  mental  attitude  towards  work  in  general. 
From  the  military  standpoint  the  prisoner  had  no 
right  to  select  or  even  inquire  as  to  the  nature  of 
the  work  to  which  he  was  to  be  assigned.  It  would 
be  subversive  of  military  discipline  to  permit  him 
to  appeal  to  the  commandant  or  other  officers  of 
the  camp.  All  reports  would  have  to  come 
through  his  guard.  The  only  possible  hope,  there- 
fore, would  be  for  an  accidental  inspection  on  the 
part  of  the  Embassy.  When  such  prisoners,  how- 
ever, returned  to  camp,  their  report  of  unfavor- 
able conditions  led  to  a  resistant  attitude  on  the 
part  of  the  other  prisoners  to  going  to  such  camps. 
Members  of  the  expeditionary  force,  soldiers  by 


178     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

profession,  did  not  take  kindly  to  any  work  that 
was  not  purely  military.  The  volunteer  soldier 
of  Kitchener's  army  was  not  only  averse  to  work 
but  rather  favorably  inclined  to  it,  if  conditions 
were  good. 

While  in  many  camps  prisoners  showed  a  sur- 
prisingly intimate  knowledge  with  the  provisions 
of  The  Hague  Convention,  there  was,  neverthe- 
less, a  widespread  impression  that  they  could  not 
be  forced  to  work  against  their  will.  There  was, 
of  course,  no  ground  for  such  a  belief.  It  was  also 
a  widespread  impression,  even  conviction,  that  the 
British  Government  did  not  desire  them  to  work 
on  the  grounds  that  the  results  of  their  work 
would  be  of  benefit  to  the  enemy.  The  only 
possible  basis  for  this  was  the  statement  published 
in  the  White  Papers  (No.  11,  1915),  in  reply  to  a 
request  from  several  British  soldiers  interned  at 
Doberitz  as  to  whether  they  might  volunteer  to 
work  on  farms;  Sir  Edward  Grey  replied  that 
"his  Majesty's  Government  did  not  wish  them  to 
work  in  the  manner  referred  to. ' '  This  naturally 
refers  to  the  matter  of  volunteering  for  work  and 
not  of  being  ordered  to  work.  It  was,  however, 
widely  transmitted  amongst  the  prisoners  and  was 
either  understood  or  at  least  taken  as  an  indica- 
tion of  the  Home  Government.  It  was  further 
elaborated  into  an  attitude  of  refusal  to  do  any 
work  that  would  aid  the  enemy 's  army.  The  pris- 
oner repeatedly  refused  to  work  directly  on  muni- 
tions, and  while  this  was  sometimes  met  with  pun- 


THE  INSPECTION  OF  WORKING  CAMPS     179 

ishment,  the  attitude  of  the  prisoner  of  war  was 
usually  respected  and  he  was  transferred  to  other 
work.  It  was  a  matter  of  much  contention  as  to 
what  were  military  operations.  That  the  canning 
of  foods  could  not  be  so  included  is  evident;  the 
inspection,  however,  took  the  position  that  work- 
ing in  Zeppelin-sheds  should  be  so  included. 

A  complaint  of  a  working  camp  at  Alhorn  for 
the  construction  of  a  Zeppelin  shed  was  made  by 

Corporal  R ,  Gordon  Highlanders,  Corporal 

W ,  E.  0.  R,  Private  F ,  Gordon  High- 
landers, Private  F ,  Middlesex  Regiment,  Pri- 
vate M ,  Munster  Fusiliers,  Private  E ,  A. 

0.  0.,  who  were  in  prison  barracks  at  the  time  of 
inspection.  They  had  been  assigned  to  work  on 
a  Zeppelin  hangar,  in  process  of  construction. 
They  refused  to  work  on  the  grounds  that  it  was 
a  military  operation  according  to  The  Hague  Con- 
vention, and  they  demanded  that  they  be  permit- 
ted to  see  the  commandant  of  the  parent  camp  at 
Celle  in  order  to  file  a  protest.  They  were  re- 
turned to  this  camp,  tried  and  sentenced  to  twelve 
months T  imprisonment.  The  case  was  retried  and 
on  a  second  appeal  it  was  taken  to  the  higher  court 
in  Berlin,  where  a  new  trial  at  Hanover  was  or- 
dered for  July  4.  A  sentence  of  twelve  months 
was  again  imposed,  another  appeal  was  filed,  and 
all  the  men  are  in  the  prison  barracks  at  this  camp 
until  the  case  is  finally  settled. 

The  only  possible  attitude  that  the  Embassy 
could  take  in  such  matters  was  that  inasmuch  as 


180     THE  PRISONER  OF.  [WAR  IN  GERMANY 

the  prisoner  of  war  was  still  a  soldier  and  a  part 
of  the  military  problem  he  was  to  take  orders  with- 
out question,  but  that  he  was  not  expected  to  work 
on  military  operations  or  on  munitions.  If  condi- 
tions were  unjust  he  had  the  right  to  communicate 
with  the  Embassy,  who  would  then  take  up  the 
matter  and  see  that  justice  was  done.  This  nat- 
urally assumed  the  right  of  free  communication 
with  the  Embassy,  which  as  stated  before,  did  not 
obtain  and  for  which  principle  we  were  contend- 
ing. Assuming  a  routine  inspection  of  the  camps, 
it  was  still  good  advice  to  give  to  the  prisoner  of 
war  as  repeated  inspection  revealed  untoward  con- 
ditions or  unjust  employment  and  also  by  telling 
whether  the  right  of  communication  with  the  Em- 
bassy would  be  respected. 

The  noncommissioned  officers  when  in  charge  of 
men  always  took  a  sane  and  sensible  view  of  the 
situation  and  did  all  in  their  power  to  prevent  the 
men  from  quitting  work  arbitrarily.  The  resist- 
ant fighting  attitude  of  the  British  prisoner  at 
times  led  him  to  refuse  to  work  on  insufficient 
grounds  and  sometimes  a  single  prisoner  would 
disturb  the  entire  morale  of  an  entire  working 
camp  by  such  an  attitude,  to  which  was  added 
senseless  faultfinding  and  refusal  to  take  orders 
from  his  own  noncommissioned  officer.  Even 
when  requests  were  made  to  have  such  men  re- 
moved to  the  parent  camp,  this  was  always  re- 
fused until  some  disturbance  occurred  which 
brought  hardship  and  punishment  not  only  on  the 


THE  INSPECTION  OF  WORKING  CAMPS     181 

offender,  but  on  other  members  of  the  working 
camp  as  well.  The  unfortunate  result  not  only 
here  but  in  parent  camps  of  adventuresome  indi- 
viduals who  were  courting  trouble  was  that  he  not 
only  got  what  he  was  looking  for,  but  included 
other  innocent  individuals  in  the  ceremony. 

When  a  prisoner  assigned  to  a  working  camp 
definitely  refused  to  work,  he  was  punished  in  one 
way  or  another.  We  have  already  seen  that  at 
Scheidenmuhl  the  guard  took  upon  himself  the 
right  to  inflict  punishment.  The  usual  rule,  how- 
ever, was  to  return  the  prisoner  to  the  parent 
camp  with  the  report  from  the  guard  of  the  work- 
ing camp.  The  action  taken  by  the  commandant 
varied  in  the  different  camps.  As  a  rule  the  pris- 
oner was  tried  by  court  martial  and  if  found  guilty 
was  sentenced  to  various  terms  of  imprisonment 
in  a  military  jail.  When  a  number  of  prisoners 
refused  to  work  a  charge  of  conspiracy  was  lodged 
against  them.  Not  infrequently  such  trouble  de- 
veloped in  working  camps  and  in  such  circum- 
stances the  prosecution  demanded  long  terms  of 
imprisonment  which  might  vary  from  five  to 
twenty  years.  In  some  cases  capital  punishment 
was  demanded,  but  as  far  as  any  one  in  the  Em- 
bassy knew  this  was  never  carried  into  effect. 

In  other  camps  the  commandant  took  a  much 
milder  action  in  cases  of  refusal  to  work;  this 
might  mean  in  some  cases  confinement  to  barracks, 
deprivation  of  certain  camp  liberties  and  privi- 
leges and  moral  suasion.    In  practically  all  the 


182     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

camps  punishment  barracks  were  instituted. 
Punishment  barracks,  as  differentiated  from  the 
camp  jail,  was  an  isolated  barrack  without  bunks 
or  bedding  or  sanitary  arrangements  in  which  the 
prisoner  was  placed  and  to  which  he  was  confined 
for  periods  of  time  varying  from  one  month  or 
longer.  In  some  of  the  camps  he  was  not  permit- 
ted blankets  and  was  compelled  to  sleep  on  the 
bare  floor  in  his  clothes.  He  was,  as  a  rule,  not 
permitted  to  have  his  food  packages  from  home 
and  while  in  the  punishment  barracks  was  com- 
pelled to  live  on  the  camp  food.  The  barrack  was 
guarded  by  one  or  two  sentries,  with  fixed  bay- 
onets. The  prisoner  was  taken  outside  of  the  bar- 
racks for  one  hour  during  the  day  for  drill  exer- 
cises. These  punishment  barracks  were  used  for 
disciplinary  punishment  not  only  in  connection 
with  refusal  to  work,  but  for  other  infractions  of 
discipline.  Prisoners  under  arrest  were  also  con- 
fined here,  at  times,  awaiting  trial.  Usually,  how- 
ever, such  prisoners  were  confined  in  the  camp 
jail.  In  some  camps  the  commandant  would  con- 
fine men  who  would  refuse  to  work  in  the  camp 
jail.  Here  the  confinement  was  solitary,  in  small 
cells  four  by  seven  feet  with  a  slant  flue  which 
gave  ventilation  but  practically  no  light ;  the  pris- 
oner was  compelled  to  sleep  upon  bare  boards, 
although  in  some  of  the  camps  mattresses  were 
provided.  He  was,  as  a  rule,  without  blankets 
and  without  food  packages.  He  was  exercised  in 
the  compounds  surrounding  the  jail  from  one  half 


THE  INSPECTION  OF  WORKING  CAMPS     183 

to  one  hour  during  the  day  by  the  guard.  The 
diet  in  the  jail  was  bread  and  water  for  three  days 
with  the  camp  ration  on  the  fourth  day,  followed 
by  a  second  period  of  three  days  with  the  bread 
and  water  diet.  After  imprisonment  in  the  jail 
for  one  or  two  weeks  the  prisoner  would  be  re- 
turned to  the  working  camp  and  if  he  still  refused 
to  work  he  was  returned  to  the  jail  for  a  longer 
period  of  time,  or  was  court  martialed.  When 
such  court  martials  were  held  the  evidence  against 
the  prisoner  was  supplied  by  the  guard  and  his 
civilian  employer. 

The  civilian  employer  was  frequently  himself  a 
problem  to  the  inspection.  He  not  only  would 
come  in  conflict  with  the  prisoners  directly,  creat- 
ing trouble  by  the  bullying  and  nagging  attitude, 
but  often  interfered  with  the  guard  in  his  control 
of  the  men.  In  one  of  these  cases  in  the  Witten- 
berg district  the  employers  of  prison  labor  had 
banded  together  and  appointed  one  man  in  charge 
of  the  prisoners  and  their  work.  In  his  efforts  to 
be  efficient  he  created  much  resentment  and  ill 
feeling  on  the  part  of  the  prisoners.  He  gave  the 
order  to  the  guard  to  punish  the  prisoners  by 
whipping  them  and  abusing  with  their  weapons 
and  went  so  far  as  to  refuse  inspection  and  free 
communication  with  the  prisoner  at  a  time  before 
the  rules  of  limiting  the  inspection  were  in  force. 
The  guards  of  the  prison  camp,  who  were  disposed 
to  right  action,  were  often  interfered  with  and 
forced  into  uncomfortable  situations  by  these  men. 


184     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

The  guard  of  the  working  camp  might  be  a  sin- 
gle soldier  or  this  might  be  increased  to  ten  or  fif- 
teen. When  the  guard  consisted  of  several  men,  a 
noncommissioned  officer  was  placed  in  charge. 
The  guards  in  the  smaller  camps  were  usually 
members  of  the  Landstrum.  They  were  men  be- 
yond the  age  of  active  service  withdrawn  from 
their  usual  work  for  this  duty.  They  were  as  a 
rule  kind  and  considerate  and  disposed  to  make 
the  prisoner  comfortable  unless  interfered  with 
from  outside  sources.  They  had,  however,  a 
strict  sense  of  duty  and  of  discipline  and  were  dis- 
posed to  obey  the  regulations  against  intercourse 
with  the  prisoners  except  in  relation  to  the  busi- 
ness at  hand. 

In  the  larger  camps  the  guard  was  composed  of 
younger  men  in  active  service  and  assigned  to  this 
duty  for  various  physical  reasons,  such  as  slight 
wounds,  lowered  vitality,  etc.  In  the  larger  camps 
a  harsher  and  less  sympathetic  attitude  was  the 
rule.  Where  the  housing  and  general  sanitary 
conditions  were  unfavorable,  the  relations  be- 
tween the  guard  and  the  men  were  usually 
strained  and  at  the  breaking  point.  This  was  due 
quite  as  much  to  the  prisoner  of  war  as  to  the 
guard.  The  bad  hygienic  surroundings  and  the 
bad  food,  the  constant  drive  of  work,  the  lack  of 
recreation,  brutalized  the  men  to  such  a  degree 
that  they  were  difficult  to  deal  with  and  hard  to 
manage.  Too  much  liberty  was  unquestionably 
given  to  the  guard  in  handling  such  situations. 


THE  INSPECTION  OF  WORKING  CAMPS     185 

In  one  of  the  working  camps  an  order  for  the 
guard  was  found  posted  in  the  guard  barracks  to 
the  effect  that  a  "  Notice  is  hereby  given  that  on 
refusal  to  work  the  guard  is  directed,  in  the  future, 
if  occasion  arises,  to  make  use  of  their  bayon- 
ets.' '  It  is  presumed  that  this  same  order  was 
posted  at  the  other  working  camps  in  this  army 
corps.  With  an  irascible  hot  tempered  guard  in 
charge  of  prisoners  whose  nervous  system  is  un- 
der serious  stress  the  possibilities  for  serious 
trouble  could  easily  arise  from  the  liberty  of  ac- 
tion implied  in  this  action.  It  was  as  a  result  of 
such  a  conflict  that  in  the  investigation  the  guard 
showed  us  the  above  order  as  justification  for  his 
action.  In  this  same  army  corps  was  posted  in 
working  camps  a  printed  notice  quoting  The 
Hague  Convention  in  reference  to  work  and  add- 
ing thereto  a  statement  that  in  one  of  the  working 
camps  three  Russians  were  shot  by  the  guard  as 
a  result  of  trouble  arising  from  their  refusal  to 
work.  While  the  commandants  at  the  prison 
camps  denied  the  right  of  the  guard  to  use  his 
weapon,  the  order,  issued  and  quoted  above  for 
the  use  of  the  guard  and  not  to  be  read  by  the  pris- 
oner, was  his  justification  and  defense  for  any 
action  that  the  guard  might  take. 

In  all  this  matter  a  most  complex  problem  was 
the  fixing  of  responsibility  for  the  life  and  health 
and  the  care  of  the  prisoner  of  war.  According 
to  The  Hague  Convention,  the  Central  Govern- 
ment was  responsible  for  all  these  matters.    With 


186     THE  PRISONER  OF.  .WAR  IN  GERMANY 

division  of  authority,  the  Provincial  governments' 
could  deny  responsibility  if  it  were  shifted  to  them. 
The  army  corps  command  was,  however,  in  the 
direct  line  of  responsibility  and  in  command  of  the 
guard  in  the  working  camp.  While  the  comman- 
dant was  held  to  account  and  an  explanation  de- 
manded for  occurrences  in  the  working  camps,  he 
almost  invariably  was  without  information,  and 
inasmuch  as  matters  could  not  be  investigated  on 
the  spot  the  most  that  could  be  done  was  to  prom- 
ise an  investigation.  Unless  a  follow-up  visit  was 
made  to  such  camps  nothing  further  was  heard  of 
such  complaints.  In  serious  matters,  such  as  the 
killing  of  the  Irish  prisoners  at  Limburg,  the  Cen- 
tral Government  referred  the  matter  to  the  army 
corps  and  the  army  corps  blocked  any  further  in- 
vestigation by  its  own  court  martial,  the  report  of 
which  could  be  delayed  as  long  as  was  convenient 
for  the  army  corps  command. 

Mention  has  already  been  made  of  the  noncom- 
missioned officer  in  reference  to  work.  While  the 
noncommissioned  officer  was  not  excepted  from 
work  in  The  Hague  Convention  the  government 
authorities  included  him  in  this  exemption  because 
he  was  not  expected  to  work  in  the  British  camps. 
At  first  in  the  larger  working  camps  a  noncom- 
missioned officer  was  assigned  in  a  supervisory 
capacity.  Later  in  some  working  camps  this  was 
extended  so  that  he  became  in  one  sense  of  the 
term  a  military  foreman.  As  the  need  for  men 
in  the  German  industries  grew,  an  effort  was  made 


THE  INSPECTION  OF  WORKING  CAMPS     187 

to  induce  these  men  to  volunteer  for  work.  While 
quite  a  few  did  volunteer,  a  large  number  de- 
clined. By  this  time  the  noncommissioned  offi- 
cer looked  upon  his  exemption  from  work  as  a 
definite  right  and  not  as  courtesy  extended. 
Whether  the  German  Government  wished  these 
men  to  work  on  account  of  the  need  of  men  or  be- 
cause the  feeding,  housing,  and  guarding  problem 
was  simplified  by  depopulating  the  prison  camps 
and  sending  them  to  working  camps,  they  were  un- 
willing to  violate  the  principle  of  exemption  of  the 
noncommissioned  officer  from  work.  This  led 
them  to  employ  various  means  of  pressure  of 
forcing  them  to  volunteer  for  work  which  did  not 
differ  in  form  or  method  from  the  punishment  of 
the  enlisted  man  who  refused  to  work.  In  some 
of  the  camps  their  liberties  were  restricted;  they 
were  refused  permission  to  attend  the  camp  thea- 
ter, take  part  in  any  athletic  sports  and  were  com- 
pelled to  go  through  long  drills  in  wooden  sabots. 
The  excuse  for  this  in  the  Minden  camp  was,  "in 
order  to  teach  these  British  noncommissioned  offi- 
cers military  form,  how  to  salute  and  respect  their 
superior  officers."  The  unconscious  humor  of 
this  was  lost  quite  as  much  on  the  German  mili- 
tary authorities  as  it  was  upon  the  warrant  and 
noncommissioned  officers  of  the  British  army. 
Even  the  confinement  in  the  camp  at  Minden  did 
not  force  these  under  officers  from  their  position. 
Had  the  German  authorities  honestly  abrogated 
their  tacit  agreement  and  issued  an  order  that  all 


188     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

noncommissioned  officers  would  be  compelled  to 
work,  little  difficulty  would  have  been  encountered 
with  men  who  were  the  flower  of  the  enlisted  force, 
good  soldiers,  accustomed  to  receiving  military- 
orders  and  obeying  them  implicitly.  When  as- 
signed to  command  duty  in  the  prison  camps  they 
did  their  duty  faithfully  and  worked  both  for  the 
good  of  their  men  and  of  the  camp.  They  would 
have  done  equally  good  work  in  the  working  camps 
had  a  proper  and  honest  spirit  been  exhibited.  In 
a  few  camps  the  noncommissioned  officer  came  in 
conflict  with  the  German  authorities  for  refusing 
to  order  the  men  to  working  camps  when  the  Ger- 
man noncommissioned  officer  had  failed.  In  some 
camps  this  was  distinctly  the  fault  of  the  noncom- 
missioned officer,  but  in  most  cases  it  was  due  to 
the  fact  that  the  German  camp  authorities  had 
not  previously  delegated  any  authority  to  the 
British  noncommissioned  officer  over  his  men  and 
when  the  time  came  for  asking  him  to  enforce  such 
authority  the  men  did  not  willingly  respond. 

The  sergeant  major,  the  sergeant  and  the  cor- 
poral were  included  in  the  groups  theoretically  ex- 
empted from  work.  The  lance  corporal  was  not 
so  included.  In  the  working  camps  the  lance  cor- 
poral was  frequently  found  at  work  and  appeals 
to  be  removed  to  the  parent  camps  were  not  con- 
sidered. This  was  frequently  true  also  of  the  cor- 
poral. Upon  direct  request  of  the  inspection,  ser- 
geants were  usually  exempted  from  work  when 
found  in  working  camps.    The  competent  and  effi- 


THE  INSPECTION  OF  WORKING  CAMPS     189 

cient  noncommissioned  officer  working  day  in  and 
out  for  the  good  of  his  men  in  parent  camps  and 
in  working  camps  was  one  of  the  best  factors  for 
good  in  the  whole  prisoner  of  war  situation. 
Good  noncommissioned  officers  with  unsympa- 
thetic commandants  made  conditions  distinctly 
more  bearable  and  livable  than  they  otherwise 
would  have  been. 

On  the  whole  the  effect  of  work  on  the  prisoner 
of  war  was  for  good.  Conditions  for  the  great 
majority  of  prisoners  were  reasonably  good, 
and  the  prisoner  both  mentally,  morally  and 
physically  better  for  having  some  purposive  work 
to  do.  Evils  that  grew  out  of  the  peonage  sys- 
tem would  have  been  corrected  in  time  by  the 
routine  frequently  repeated  inspection,  by  neutral 
embassies,  and  the  desire  on  the  part  of  the 
military  authorities  to  be  relieved  of  the  criti- 
cism and  the  trouble  which  protests  from  these 
sources  would  involve.  The  eventual  realization, 
as  above  stated,  that  as  an  economic  proposition 
well-fed  and  well-treated  prisoners  gave  better 
working  returns  naturally  tends  in  the  same  direc- 
tion. The  serious  problem  of  mental  depression 
and  one  of  its  most  important  underlying  causes, 
i.e.,  the  uncertainty  of  the  time  of  imprisonment, 
was  very  markedly  relieved  by  congenial  occupa- 
tion. If  the  work  for  the  prisoner  of  war  could 
be  confined  to  work  on  the  farms,  this  would  have 
solved  all  the  difficulties  and  all  the  problems  of 
the  prisoner  of  war.    This  was  fully  realized  by 


190     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY, 

the  prisoners  in  the  camp  at  Minden.  Some 
twenty-five  Servian  noncommissioned  officers  who 
had  resisted  all  efforts  on  the  part  of  the  German 
authorities  to  induce  them  to  volunteer  for  work, 
promptly  agreed  to  work  on  farms  if  this  type  of 
work  could  be  assured  to  them.  The  military  au- 
thorities promptly  agreed  to  this  proposition 
when  I  presented  it  to  them  and  the  matter  was 
then  and  there  settled. 


CHAPTER  XII 

CAMPS   FOR   OFFICERS 

UP  to  August  1,  1916,  there  were  16,569  officer 
prisoners  of  war.  They  were  distributed  in 
forty  six  camps.  It  may  be  stated  in  a  general 
way  that  the  German  Government  has  met  this 
problem  in  a  complete  and  satisfactory  manner. 
With  one  or  two  exceptions  all  of  these  camps  are 
now  satisfactory  and,  considering  conditions,  no 
reasonable  complaint  can  be  found.  Fortresses, 
sanatoria,  newly  constructed  high-school  build- 
ings, hotels,  modern  barrack  buildings  and  va- 
cated factory  buildings  have  all  been  utilized  for 
officers'  quarters. 

I  All  these  buildings,  with  the  exception  of  the 
camp  at  Magdeburg  and  Ingaldstadt,  were  unob- 
jectionable from  a  hygienic  standpoint.  In  all  the 
other  camps  inspected,  with  the  exception  of  these 
two,  the  buildings  were  rather  modern.  The 
older  buildings,  such  as  those  at  Villingen  or  the 
forts  at  Torgau,  were  remodeled  and  changes  ef- 
fected to  make  them  comfortable  and  satisfactory. 
The  officers'  camp  at  Ingaldstadt  is  located  in  a 
ring  of  forts  surrounding  the  town.  These  forts 
are  built  of  brick.  The  officers  were  housed  in  the 
casemates ;  their  quarters  were  poorly  lighted  and 

191 


192     THE  PRISONER  OP  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

damp  and  had  a  gloomy,  cheerless,  depressing  at- 
mosphere. During  the  summer  months  these  con- 
ditions are  not  so  objectionable.  During  the  long 
winter  months  they  are  unsuitable  for  housing 
officers. 

The  camp  at  Magdeburg  was  located  in  a  va- 
cated warehouse  in  the  city  of  Magdeburg.  The 
large  rooms  in  which  officers  were  housed  were  not 
any  better  than  the  barracks  for  enlisted  men. 
The  officers,  many  of  them  older  men,  were  housed 
in  the  large  factory  rooms,  as  a  barrack  room, 
without  any  semblance  of  privacy.  These  long 
rooms  could  not  be  made  to  appear  clean,  and  the 
whole  building  presented  a  sordid,  unkempt  ap- 
pearance. There  was  insufficient  light  and  ven- 
tilation, the  sanitary  conditions  were  bad,  the  loca- 
tion of  the  building  and  the  arrangement  of  the 
water  supply  did  not  permit  of  modern  plumbing 
or  a  flushing  system  of  sewerage.  Space  for  ex- 
ercise was  very  limited.  The  officers  looked  upon 
this  camp  as  a  punishment  camp.  They  were  sent 
here  for  a  complaining  attitude  in  other  camps,  a 
lack  of  cooperation  with  the  commandant,  or  for 
insubordination. 

All  the  other  camps  were  located  in  hygienic 
surroundings  and  were  so  constructed  or  altered 
that  the  officers  were  housed  in  small  rooms.  Suf- 
ficient space  was  set  aside  in  practically  all  the 
camps  for  field  sports  and  recreation.  As  a  rule, 
even  in  the  camps  filled  to  capacity,  ten  to  twelve 
officers  were  the  greatest  number  assigned  to  a 


f  CAMPS  FOR  OFFICERS  193 

room  and  even  if  a  greater  number  was  sometimes 
housed  together  at  Torgau,  partitions  were 
erected  by  the  officers  to  secure  privacy.  The 
senior  officers  with  the  rank  of  colonel  and  general 
were  usually  given  two  rooms  and  a  prisoner  of 
war  orderly  was  detailed  for  their  service.  The 
rooms  were  furnished  simply  and  as  a  rule  with 
sufficient  furniture  to  make  them  comfortable; 
iron  cots  with  springs  or  mattresses  filled  either 
with  straw  or  sea  grass;  bed  linen,  pillows,  blan- 
kets, etc.,  and  a  locker  or  wardrobe  were  supplied. 

Bathing  facilities  in  the  form  of  both  showers 
and  tubs  with  hot  and  cold  water  sufficient  for  the 
needs  of  the  officers  was  supplied  in  all  the  camps. 
Hot  water  was  supplied  in  a  good  many  of  the 
camps  at  certain  hours  of  the  day  and  sometimes 
only  certain  days  of  the  week.  In  many  of  the  of- 
ficersJ  camps  bathing  was  obligatory  and  a  list 
was  kept  in  order  that  this  rule  should  be  obeyed. 
Arrangements  were  made  either  in  the  camp  or  in 
a  near-by  barrack  for  sterilization  of  clothing 
when  this  was  considered  necessary. 

The  arrangement  for  food  was  placed  in  the 
hands  of  a  committee  composed  of  officers.  A 
French,  a  British  and  a  Eussian  officer  were  on 
this  committee.  They  arranged  their  own  menus 
and  the  food  was  purchased  by  a  German  pur- 
chasing agent  who  endeavored  to  secure  the  nec- 
essary food  requested  by  this  committee  within 
the  limits  of  the  markets  and  the  food  regulations. 
The  food  was  cooked  by  German  cooks  (male  or 


194     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY      , 

female)  or  by  French  prisoners  of  war.  The  food 
was  served  in  dining-rooms  which  were  as  a  rule 
comfortable  and  cheerful.  Enlisted  prisoners  of 
war  acting  as  orderlies  served  in  the  dining-room. 
The  officers  paid  for  their  own  food,  the  cost  av- 
eraging one  and  a  half  marks  per  day.  In  some  of 
the  camps  all  officers  were  obliged  to  pay  for  the 
midday  meal  at  the  cost  of  thirty-two  marks  per 
month ;  they  might  share  in  the  other  two  meals  or 
use  their  food  packages  as  they  preferred.  The 
facilities  for  cooking  the  food  from  the  food  pack- 
ages was  furnished  in  the  kitchens,  if  it  did  not 
interfere  with  the  preparation  of  the  camp  food. 
This  same  committee  had  charge  of  the  canteens 
where  toilet  articles,  cigars,  cigarettes,  writing 
materials,  beer  and  light  wines  might  be  pur- 
chased. The  profits  from  the  canteen  were  de- 
voted to  camp  expenses,  such  as  making  of  tennis 
courts,  etc.,  cinematograph  exhibitions,  orchestra, 
theatricals,  etc. 

An  officer  who  was  taken  prisoner  of  war  might 
therefore  find  himself  in  a  modern  well-equipped 
hotel,  in  a  sanatarium  building,  an  officer  barrack, 
or  the  more  romantic,  if  less  comfortable  atmos- 
phere, of  a  German  fortress  guarding  a  strategic 
point  along  the  inland  waterways  of  Germany.  If 
he  were  interned  at  the  fort  at  Torgau  he  would 
find  himself  assigned  to  quarters  with  other  offi- 
cers in  the  main  fortress  building  in  one  of  the 
small  rooms  along  the  galleries.  He  would  be 
welcomed  by  his  brother  officers,  not  for  himself 


CAMPS  FOR  OFFICERS  195 

so  much  as  for  what  news  he  might  bring  from  the 
outside  world  or  a  change  of  personality  from 
those  who  were  already  wearing  on  each  other. 

In  the  early  months  of  the  war  the  transporta- 
tion of  officers  from  the  front  was  often  disagree- 
able in  the  extreme.  The  experience  of  Major 
V was  not  unique.  Many  officers  made  com- 
plaint of  a  similar  nature.  Probably  the  worst 
experience  of  most  of  the  officers  was  in  being 
made  a  prisoner.  As  a  rule  they  would  have  pre- 
fered  almost  any  other  fate.  To  be  taken  a  pris- 
oner, to  be  removed  from  the  conflict,  to  be  at  the 
mercy  of  their  enemies  for  an  indefinite  period  of 
time,  it  was  indeed  for  them,  as  they  approached 
the  forbidding  aspect  of  some  fortress,  an 
" abandonment  of  hope."  Where  the  gates  had 
no  such  legend  inscribed  thereon,  it  needed  none 
such  for  the  weary,  battle-stained,  travel- worn  pil- 
grim in  the  khaki  uniform. 

The  grim  exterior  of  the  fortress  was  indeed  the 
worst  feature  about  it.  After  the  guard  had  sa- 
luted and  the  gates  had  clanged  after  him  the  pic- 
ture was  very  different  from  anything  he  had  an- 
ticipated. 

Looking  out  from  his  gallery  chamber  a  strange 
and  unique  picture  greeted  him.  French,  and 
Belgian,  and  Eussian,  and  British  officers  prom- 
enading across  the  large  quadrangle  in  the  bright 
sunshine  gave  a  glow  of  color  such  as  only  the 
highly  colored  uniforms  of  the  different  military 
ranks  can  give  to  such  a  picture.    A  tennis  tour- 


196     THE  PEISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

nament  is  on  at  the  courts  and  French  and  English, 
arrayed  in  flannels,  perhaps,  are  vying  for  the 
mastery  with  a  distinguished  and  numerous  gal- 
lery excited  and  applauding  and  as  interested  evi- 
dently as  if  they  were  at  a  similar  function  at 
home.  Some  field  sports  are  on  in  another  por- 
tion of  the  field,  or  it  may  be  that  football  or  even 
cricket  may  be  on  for  that  particular  day. 

He  would  find  the  atmosphere  of  the  camp  rela- 
tively cheerful  as  compared  with  the  enlisted 
men's  camp.  The  older  officers  in  the  meantime 
are  engaged  in  some  studious  occupation,  and  the 
more  serious  minded  of  the  younger  officers  in  lan- 
guage classes  or  classes  for  mental  occupation  and 
education ;  the  younger  officers  not  engaged  in  ath- 
letics for  the  most  part  lounging  in  their  rooms  not 
unlike  men  in  college  dormitories. 

He  would  find  that  in  two  or  three  days  in  the 
week,  groups  of  officers  (50  or  60)  each  officer  in 
his  turn  would  be  permitted  to  take  a  tramp  in  the 
surrounding  country  accompanied  by  one  of  the 
German  officers.  Some  eight  or  ten  different 
trips  had  been  arranged,  each  one  of  which  afford- 
ed some  new  interest  and  relieved  the  monotony  of 
the  same  walk. 

The  time  arranged  for  the  officers'  walk  was 
usually  in  the  afternoon.  No  complaint  was  made 
as  to  the  attitude  of  the  German  population.  The 
officer  assigned,  however,  to  accompany  the  in- 
terned officers  was  ostensibly  to  prevent  any  hos- 
tile manifestations,  and  not  as  a  guard;  at  least 


CAMPS  FOR  OFFICERS  197 

this  was  the  explanation  given.  These  walks 
were  taken  in  the  country  and  not  in  congested 
districts.  This  is  in  contrast  with  the  opportun- 
ity for  the  officers  in  one  of  the  officer's  camps  in 
England,  where  the  German  officers  could  only  be 
permitted  to  take  walks  in  the  very  early  morning 
on  account  of  the  hostile  attitude  of  the  British 
population. 

The  midday  meal  at  Torgau  was  prepared  by 
French  cooks  under  the  direction  of  an  officer,  a 
captain  in  the  French  service.  While  not  sump- 
tuous meals,  they  were,  nevertheless,  not  objec- 
tionable and  might  be  better  than  the  field  food  to 
which  he  had  been  accustomed  at  the  front. 
While  the  meals  from  day  to  day  might  lack  va- 
riety, if  he  would  quarrel  with  their  preparation 
he  must  quarrel  with  a  cook  or  chef  of  his  own 
selection. 

When  taps  are  sounded  and  he  has  "turned  in," 
the  officer  of  the  day  makes  his  inspection  in  order 
to  see  that  the  prisoners  are  all  in  bed  and  ac- 
counted for.  He  is  allowed  to  sleep  later  in  the 
morning  than  the  enlisted  men ;  he  faces  a  roll  call 
at  8  a.  m.,  after  which  he  has  breakfast  at  8.15  and 
then  is  free  for  the  rest  of  the  day  until  evening 
roll  call  at  9.30  p.  m.  for  study,  for  some  outdoor 
sport,  for  theatricals  or  to  sit  and  brood  or  plan 
an  escape. 

All  officers  plan  an  escape.  In  order  to  avoid 
this  the  German  authorities  require  officers  per- 
mitted to  take  walks  in  the  surrounding  country  to 


198     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

be  photographed,  and  to  give  their  parole.  At 
first  the  British  officers  refused  to  do  this,  but  on 
the  assurance  that  there  was  no  reflection  on  their 
honor  as  officers,  it  was  later  agreed  to. 

With  such  treatment  and  such  liberty  there 
should  be,  one  would  think,  little  complaint,  as  in- 
deed there  was  but  little.  Some  of  the  officers, 
however,  requested  that  they  be  given  the  liberty 
of  the  towns  on  parole  as  in  previous  wars.  With 
the  intense  feeling  aroused  by  the  present  war  it 
would  take  but  little  to  start  serious  trouble  if 
such  requests  were  granted.  An  officer  prisoner 
is  permitted  to  write  one  letter  and  one  post  card 
per  week  and  to  receive  all  the  communications 
addressed  to  him;  both  incoming  and  outgoing 
mail  are  strictly  censored;  this  is  true  also  of  the 
food  packages  and  books  received  from  the  home 
country.  Newspapers  in  English  are  not  permit- 
ted and  the  same  complaint  as  to  this  and  the  lack 
of  news  was  registered  in  the  officers'  camps  both 
in  Germany  and  in  England.  German  papers  are 
permitted.  An  irascible  German  officer  in  a 
prison  camp  in  England  demanded  that  he  should 
be  permitted  the  German  papers  in  order  that 
"he  might  keep  in  touch  with  the  spiritual  life 
of  the  Fatherland. ' '  The  British  officer  was  more 
practical  and  wanted  to  keep  in  touch  with  a  thin 
khaki-colored  line  in  Northern  France.  In  all  the 
camps  for  officers  a  sufficient  number  of  enlisted 
men  of  their  own  nationality  are  assigned  as  or- 
derlies to  care  for  their  rooms,  to  serve  their 


CAMPS  FOR  OFFICERS  199 

food,  etc.  This  number  varied  in  the  different 
camps. 

As  in  the  camps  for  enlisted  men,  the  atmos- 
phere of  the  camp  was  largely  determined  by  the 
commandant  and  his  staff.  Commandants  of  the 
officers'  camps  are  usually  officers  of  middle  age, 
placed  on  this  duty  from  the  reserve  or  retired 
lists.  They  are  assisted  by  a  staff  of  commis- 
sioned and  noncommissioned  officers.  There  is  a 
guard  of  usually  one  tenth  the  number  of  officers ; 
this  guard  is  as  a  rule  quartered  outside  of  the 
camp,  but  is  sometimes  found  quartered  within 
the  confines  of  the  camp.  In  most  of  the  camps 
the  commandant  was  found  to  be  in  sympathetic 
touch  with  the  interned  officers.  The  interned  of- 
ficers were  divided  into  companies  and  battalions. 
Companies  are  subdivided  into  squads,  the  squad 
leaders  being  the  senior  officers  interned,  the 
higher  ranks  excepted.  Squads  are  always  in 
charge  of  officers  of  the  same  nationality.  The 
officers  of  highest  rank  of  the  various  nationalities 
interned  are  responsible  for  the  conduct  and  dis- 
cipline of  the  officers  under  them  and  act  as  their 
spokesman  in  all  communications,  requests  and 
protests  to  the  commandant  of  the  camp. 

Officers  are  well  supplied  with  money ;  they  are* 
paid  by  the  German  authorities  or  receive  money 
from  home.  Officers  junior  to  the  rank  of  cap- 
tain are  paid  at  the  rate  of  sixty  marks  per  month, 
from  captain  up  to  and  including  colonels  the  pay 
is  as  high  as   one  hundred  marks  per  month. 


200     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

Money   orders   received  from   England  through 
Holland  are  exchanged  in  the  camps  at  the  rate  of 
20.42  marks  to  the  pound  sterling.    Much  com- 
plaint was  made  at  this  rate  of  exchange.    Actual 
German  or  foreign  currency  is  not  permitted  in 
the  camp ;  either  camp  money  or  a  checking  system 
is  used.    The  officer  must  pay  for  his  food,  his 
clothes,  his  laundry  and  for  necessary  repairs. 
He  is  compelled  to  wear  his  uniform  at  all  times 
except  when  he  is  participating  in  sports,  when  the 
usual  flannels  are  permitted.     The  attitude  of  the 
German  officers  was  as  a  rule  more  sympathetic 
toward  the  British  officer  than  otherwise.    He  was 
always  a  gentleman,  respected  regulations  and  in- 
sisted on  the  respect  due  him  as  an  officer.    His 
fondness  for  out-of-door  sports  kept  him  in  good 
physical  condition,  relieved  the  monotony  and  te- 
dium of  the  endless  waiting  and  kept  him  in  a  much 
better  mental  condition  than  the  French  or  Ger- 
man officers.     The  Eussian  officer  was  unpopular 
for  many  reasons.    His  frequent  attempts  at  es- 
cape brought  him  in  conflict  with  the  camp  authori- 
ties.   While  the  other  officers  often  made  attempts 
to  escape,  they  were  not  so  persistent  as  the  Rus- 
sians.    The  British  officers  are  least  addicted  to 

this  habit. 

This  was  quite  unnecessary,  as  attempts  at  es- 
cape were  not  made  during  these  walks.  Usually 
the  idea  of  escape  was  a  natural  reaction  of  the 
mind  of  an  adventuresome  individual  to  confine- 
ment.   It  might  almost  be  said  to  be  at  times  a 


CAMPS  FOR  OFFICERS  201 

mass  reaction.  When  human  beings  are  confined, 
the  first  idea  is  the  possibility  of  escape  from  the 
cage.  The  camps  are  so  well  guarded  that  at- 
tempts through  the  barbed  wire  were  usually 
doomed  to  failure.  Bribing  of  the  guard  was  a 
possibility,  but  it  was  rarely  tried.  The  next 
mental  reaction  to  confinement  was  to  burrow.  In 
the  sand  country  where  tunneling  was  not  diffi- 
cult, it  was  frequently  tried.  In  one  of  the  camps 
it  became  epidemic  and  gave  the  authorities  more 
concern  than  other  and  more  serious  disease  epi- 
demics. The  whole  camp  was  tunneled,  the  tun- 
nels not  infrequently  ran  into  each  other.  The 
German  guards  would  let  the  prisoners  amuse 
themselves  and  then  " detect"  them  at  the  proper 
moment  and  gain  much  credit  thereby  from  the 
commandant.  The  day  of  my  visit  to  this  camp, 
one  of  the  officers,  evidently  an  engineer,  sur- 
prised them  by  his  speed  and  escaped.  The 
guard  was  so  confounded  that  he  raised  a  general 
alarm ;  the  commandant  called  the  guards  to  emer- 
gency stations  and  turned  the  machine  guns  on  the 
camp.  The  action  of  the  German  officers  in  their 
excitement  precipitated  a  riot  amongst  the  excited 
prisoners,  and  serious  consequences  were  only 
narrowly  averted.  The  guard  was  too  small  for 
the  six  hundred  officers.  If,  as  one  of  the  men 
stated,  a  shot  had  been  fired  the  excited  prisoners 
would  have  killed  the  guard  with  chairs  or  their 
bare  hands,  and  "we  would  have  all  been  lined  up 
and  shot."    This  officer  begged  me  to  have  the 


202     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY, 

guard  increased  to  save  the  men  from  their  own 
folly  and  that  of  the  commandant,  should  such  an 
occurrence  be  repeated,  which  we  thought  likely. 

This  camp  was  filled  with  adventuresome  spir- 
its who  refused  to  be  confined  and  who  made  the 
life  of  the  commandant  miserable. 

The  tunnel  was  usually  started  from  the  floor  of 
a  barrack.  This  gave  privacy  and  a  place  to  store 
the  excavated  material.  In  the  camp  above  re- 
ferred to  some  of  the  tunnels  were  so  long  and  the 
heat  so  intense  that  an  apparatus  was  rigged  up 
to  pump  air  into  the  tunnel. 

At  one  camp  for  officers,  located  in  a  recently 
erected  sanatarium,  an  officer  who  had  assisted  as 
a  consulting  engineer  in  the  planning  of  the  insti- 
tution, and  after  returning  to  his  country,  enlisted 
and  was  taken  prisoner,  had  evidently  all  the 
plans  of  pipes,  etc.,  in  his  mind.  All  the  tunnels 
planned  followed  the  water,  gas  or  sewerage  di- 
rections to  freedom. 

When  a  tunnel  was  discovered  the  officer  was 
permitted  to  work  up  to  the  point  of  danger;  he 
was  usually  met  with  a  smile  by  the  guard  as  he 
returned  from  his  burrow.  In  the  camp  at  Guter- 
sloh  the  smile  was  not  used  to  any  great  extent. 
When,  therefore,  three  innocent  looking  Eussian 
officers  emerged  from  their  nocturnal  retreat  the 
guard,  using  his  musket  as  a  bludgeon,  beat  them 
successively  and  successfully  over  the  head  as 
each  one  emerged  from  the  tunnel,  into  a  condi- 
tion of  insensibility.    The  condition  of  all  three 


CAMPS  FOR  OFFICERS  203 

was  serious  when  I  visited  the  camp  a  few  days 
later.  We  must  assume  that  such  an  act,  not  con- 
demned by  the  commandant,  must  have  met  with 
his  approval.  Such  occurrences  were,  however, 
rare.  As  a  rule  attempts  at  escape  were  treated 
with  surprising  leniency. 

The  punishment  for  attempting  to  escape  varies 
in  the  different  army  corps.  In  most  of  the  army 
corps  it  is  relatively  slight ;  a  period  of  two  weeks 
of  solitary  confinement  with  a  withdrawal  of  cer- 
tain camp  privileges  for  a  given  period  of  time. 
In  the  fourth  army  corps  (Magdeburg)  punish- 
ment is  more  severe  and  longer,  ranging  from 
three  months  to  a  year.  In  one  instance  where 
the  latter  punishment  was  inflicted  the  accusation 
was  made  that  some  of  the  furniture  had  been 
broken  in  the  attempt  to  escape.  For  serious  of- 
fences court  martials  were  ordered.  These  may 
be  ordered  from  the  army  headquarters  or  from 
the  war  ministry. 

The  same  rule  was  made  in  regard  to  mixing 
nationalities  in  the  camps  for  officers  as  in  those 
of  enlisted  men.  While  in  some  of  the  camps  of- 
ficers of  different  nationalities  were  quartered  to- 
gether in  the  same  rooms,  as  a  rule  the  British 
officers  were  housed  separately.  This  was  true 
also  of  the  French  and  Russian  officers. 

Wounded  officers  were  transported  in  hospital 
trains  and  were  treated  either  in  the  general  hos- 
pitals assigned  for  the  treatment  of  wounded 
prisoners  or  in  smaller  general  hospitals.     They 


204     THE  PEISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

were  assigned  in  groups  to  wards  or  rooms  by 
themselves;  in  some  instances  wounded  German 
officers  were  quartered  with  them.  They  were 
given  the  same  care  and  treatment  as  the  German 
officers.  A  wounded  officer  was  sometimes  found 
in  the  infirmary  attached  to  the  officers '  camp. 

In  meeting  the  problem  of  the  officer  prisoner  of 
war,  considering  many  difficulties  in  the  way,  but 
few  complaints  can  be  found  and  in  a  general  way 
the  whole  system  deserves  praise.  If  the  same 
spirit  had  been  shown  towards  the  problem  of  the 
enlisted  men  and  civilians  interned  there  would 
be  much  less  ground  for  complaint  than  is  here 
recorded.  With  the  exception  of  Magdeburg,  a 
punishment  camp,  the  forts  at  Ingaldstadt,  and  the 
camp  at  Wurtsburg,  during  the  first  year  of  the 
war  all  the  other  camps  were  more  than  satisfac- 
tory. 


CHAPTER  XIII 

CAMPS   FOR   CIVILIANS   INTERNED 

APPEOXIMATELY  45,000  civilians  were  in- 
terned in  Germany  shortly  after  the  out- 
break of  the  war.  Of  these,  4,000  were  interned  in 
one  camp  at  Ruhleben  in  the  suburbs  of  Berlin. 
Eventually  practically  all  the  interned  civilians  in 
Germany  were  interned  at  this  camp;  a  few  re- 
mained in  the  parent  camps  by  preference. 
Thirty  were  interned  at  the  castle  Schloss  Celle 
and  a  few  women  from  time  to  time  in  the  camp 
at  Holzminden.  The  concentration  of  practically 
all  the  British  in  one  camp  near  Berlin  made  the 
problem  of  inspection  and  control  relatively  easy. 
Some  truth  and  not  a  little  poetry  has  been  written 
about  this  camp.  Within  a  relatively  short  time 
after  the  declaration  of  war,  all  British  males 
found  in  Germany  and  all  those  later  taken  prison- 
ers on  ships  were  interned  here. 

It  may  or  may  not  have  been  intentional — the 
refined  cruelty  of  a  practical  joke — that  all  these 
British,  so  fond  on  their  native  heath  of  horse  rac- 
ing, should  be  interned  on  a  race-  track  which, 
from  that  moment  on,  never  saw  a  horse.  The 
buildings  natural  to  a  race  course,  the  grand 
stand,  the  stables,  tribune,  the  casino,  were  all 

205 


206     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY, 

used  for  housing  or  ministering  to  the  wants  of 
the  prisoner.  The  housing  was  difficult  and  the 
wants  were  many;  the  housing  problem  at  first 
difficult  was  later  partially  solved  by  the  erection 
of  additional  barracks  built  of  wood  and  covered 
with  tar-paper.  Previous  to  this  men  were 
housed  and  indeed  are  still  housed  in  the  stalls 
used  for  horses. 

It  was  a  different  crowd  to  which  this  race 
course  was  accustomed  in  the  heyday  of  its  glory 
who  assembled  there  in  August  of  1914.  Men 
from  all  walks  of  life  and  all  climes,  men  of  all 
professions,  after  days  of  hardship  and  uncer- 
tainty were  here  assembled  for  the  "two  or  three 
months"  that  the  war  was  to  last.  The  British 
tourist  from  some  German  cure  or  summer  resort, 
the  music  student  or  teacher  from  Munich  or  Ber- 
lin; the  successful  business  man,  banker,  broker, 
merchant,  professional  men,  all  slept  in  the  same 
horse  stalls,  marched  in  barrack  line  to  the  same 
kitchen  for  food  in  company  with  some  two  hun- 
dred and  fifty  negroes  from  the  China  coast,  the 
Strait  Settlements  or  South  Africa,  with  sailors 
and  fishermen  from  Grunsby,  stokers  from  some 
tramp  merchantman  and,  mirable  dictu,  several 
hundred  British  Germans,  most  of  whom  could  not 
speak  a  word  of  English.  From  time  to  time  was 
added  to  this  motley  and  mixed  aggregation  of  hu- 
man beings  the  haul  of  the  Moewe,  and  other  raid- 
ers. Cabin  boys,  callow  youth,  men  of  forty,  and 
old  feeble  men  tottering  to  the  grave,  came  and 


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CAMPS  FOR  CIVILIANS  INTERNED       207 

went  and  wondered  how  long  the  war  would  last 
or  how  soon  the  always  prospective  exchange  of 
civilians  would  take  place.  As  one  walks  through 
the  camp  at  Euhleben  today  there  is  not  the  de- 
pression of  the  prison  camp  but  the  rather  strained 
atmosphere  of  some  5,000  men  trying  to  escape  a 
melting  pot  which  could  make  of  this  motley  ag- 
gregation of  various  castes  simple  Englishmen. 

Youth  in  its  elasticity  dons  its  flannels  and  sal- 
lies forth  to  play  golf  or  tennis  in  much  the  same 
fashion  it  would  at  home.  The  man  of  forty, 
moulded  to  form,  feels  the  abolition  of  the  cast 
system.  The  lower  working  classes  find  it  quite 
as  difficult  to  adjust  itself  to  the  abnormal  condi- 
tions of  living  under  such  mixed  surroundings  as 
does  the  better  class  in  its  effort  to  drop  to  an 
easy  attitude  without  too  much  strain  and  tension. 
The  unconscious  class,  that  group  to  which  intern- 
ment made  little  difference  in  its  restriction  and 
its  uncertainty,  was  the  negro.  He  did  not  have 
to  work  today,  had  no  care  for  the  morrow,  had 
sufficient  to  eat  and  a  mandolin  or  a  banjo  and  a 
voice  that  might  be  good  or  bad  to  wile  away  the 
weary  hours. 

The  most  self-conscious  class,  the  group  to 
which  a  just  confinement  seemed  most  unjust  and 
hard  to  bear,  was  the  pro-German  group.  These 
men,  for  the  most  part  born  in  Germany,  sons  of 
a  British  parent  or  parents,  reared  to  manhood 
in  German  surroundings,  British  only  in  name 
and   to    avoid   military    service,    slandered   and 


208     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

abused  by  their  own  people  and  outcasts  among 
the  British,  were  indeed  an  unhappy  and  a  miser- 
able lot.  The  Duke  of  Baden  taking  pity  on  them 
gave  a  fund  which  might  be  used  for  supplying 
them  with  extra  food  and  necessities  from  the  can- 
teen. When  practically  all  the  British,  with  the 
exception  of  those  who  for  reasons  of  principle 
would  not  accept  them,  were  receiving  food  pack- 
ages from  home  to  supplement  the  prison  fare, 
pro-Germans  were  left  without  such  assistance 
and  this  fund  while  it  lasted  was  a  veritable  god- 
send to  them. 

Much  has  been  said  in  the  previous  pages  of  the 
military  discipline  of  the  prison  camps  and  the 
labor  in  the  working  camps.  When  a  study  is 
made  of  the  internment  camps  for  civilians  it  is 
evident  that  a  lack  of  military  discipline,  of  mil- 
itary training,  together  with  lack  of  occupation 
were  the  twin  evils  of  these  institutions.  Out  of 
this  amorphous  mass  of  human  beings,  herded  in 
a  narrow  space,  with  nothing  to  do,  it  was  natural 
that  men  of  brain  power,  of  training  and  high 
ideals,  should  look  for  some  means  to  so  organize 
the  camp  as  to  lessen  the  evils  of  confinement. 
To  offer  not  only  mental  and  physical  relaxation 
but  that  mental  occupation  which  would  help  to 
pass  the  time,  prepare  them  for  a  better  work, 
and  keep  the  years  of  their  confinement  from  be- 
ing wasted.  Such  men  there  were  and  they  de- 
serve much  credit  for  a  camp  organization  which 
offered  to  the  men  self-government  and  oppor- 


CAMPS  FOR  CIVILIANS  INTERNED       209 

tunities  for  education  or  better  still  the  service  of 
teaching  others.  While  much  has  been  written  of 
the  box-stalls  for  beds  in  the  Euhleben  camps,  with 
not  a  little  criticism  of  the  food  and  other  things, 
I  take  it  that  there  is  no  one  in  or  out  of  Ruhleben 
who  has  anything  but  good  to  say  of  the  kindly 
sympathetic  officer  in  charge  of  this  camp,  Graf 
Schwerin.  He  not  only  did  everything  possible 
under  the  circumstances  to  mitigate  the  lot  of  the 
interned  but  cooperated  in  every  way  in  carrying 
out  any  suggestion  from  the  men  or  their  com- 
mittees which  would  make  for  their  peace  of  mind 
or  their  comfort. 

The  administration  is  under  Graf  Schwerin,  as- 
sisted by  Baron  von  Taube  and  a  staff  of  com- 
missioned and  noncommissioned  officers.  There 
is  a  guard  of  150  men  with  quarters  provided  un- 
der the  grand  stand.  These  are  shortly  to  be  re- 
moved outside  of  the  camp.  The  German  guard 
in  the  camp  is  a  source  of  irritation  to  the  interned 
and  a  source  of  trouble  to  the  commandant. 

At  the  present  time  the  internal  administration 
is  largely  in  the  hands  of  committees  of  the  in- 
terned. The  camp  is  well  organized,  both  for  dis- 
cipline and  the  physical  and  mental  comfort  of  the 
interned.  This  has  been  a  matter  of  slow  develop- 
ment. At  first  there  was  a  necessity  for  interpre- 
ters and  naturally  enough  when  it  came  to  an 
organization  of  the  camp,  the  interpreters  acted 
as  intermediaries  between  the  men  interned  and 
the  military  authorities.    One  of  these  was  ap- 


210     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY, 

pointed  "Captain  of  the  Camp,"  later  he  was  ex- 
changed and  returned  to  England  and  the  present 

captain,  a  Mr.  P ,  was  appointed.     The  camp 

is  divided  into  barracks  of  about  200  men.  Each 
barrack  has  it  own  captain  at  first  appointed  by 
the  captain  of  the  camp.  Later  new  barrack  cap- 
tains were  elected.  They  are  held  responsible 
for  the  order  and  discipline  of  their  individual 
barracks  and  lead  the  men  when  they  march  for 
food  etc.     (See  Appendix.) 

Housing.  The  men  are  housed  in  barracks 
built  of  wood,  one  story  in  height,  and  arranged 
in  a  series  of  rooms  on  either  side  of  a  long  cor- 
ridor, paved  with  cement.  Each  room  will  hold 
three  or  five  men.  The  bedding  is  of  straw,  the 
bed  places  bunks  built  against  the  wall.  The 
rooms  are  clean  and  well  ventilated.  Class  dis- 
tinctions are  not  recognized,  with  the  single  ex- 
ception that  the  negroes  are  all  housed  together 
(250)  in  one  large  isolated  barrack. 

These  latter  are  orderly,  clean,  and  it  is  said 
that  this  barrack  was  the  only  one  in  the  camp 
which  had  not  at  any  time  been  infected  with 
vermin.  Permission  was  given  to  have  a  classifi- 
cation of  the  interned  made,  inasmuch  as  this  has 
been  permitted  in  the  camps  in  England,  but  Cap- 
tain P and  others  considered  this  inadvisable 

inasmuch  as  the  present  plan  was  working  so 
well. 

Discipline.  The  camp  is  regulated  by  a  force 
of  British  subjects.    This  consists  of  an  inspector, 


CAMPS  FOR  CIVILIANS  INTERNED       211 

four  sergeants  and  fifty  men.  This  force  has  no 
power  to  inflict  punishment.  It  can  only  report 
to  the  captain  who  may  use  moral  suasion ;  if  this 
does  not  suffice,  the  matter  is  taken  up  with  the 
German  military  authorities.  Punishments  may 
be  ordered  for  infractions  of  camp  discipline  and 
consists  of  three  days  of  detention  on  a  bread  and 
water  diet,  two  days  of  detention  on  a  full  diet 
and  three  days  of  bread  and  water  diet.  This  may 
be  extended  for  two  weeks.  Such  discipline  is 
usually  inflicted  for  the  abuse  of  alcohol.  Eleven 
escapes  have  occurred  from  the  camp,  two  of  these 
have  not  been  returned,  the  others  were  captured 
and  are  now  in  prison  detention  in  Berlin.  Ef- 
forts on  the  part  of  the  Embassy  and  the  captain 
to  have  these  men  returned  to  the  camp  have  not 
been  successful.  The  authorities  evidently  reason 
that  if  these  runaways  return  they  will  spread  the 
information  as  to  methods  of  escape. 

The  food  supply  is  regulated  by  the  German 
military  authorities.  At  first  the  food  supplies, 
cooking,  etc.,  were  in  the  hands  of  a  contractor 
who  was  awarded  the  contract  on  the  basis  of  76 
pfennigs  per  diem.  So  much  objection  was  made 
on  the  part  of  the  interned  to  the  small  quantity  of 
food  and  its  poor  quality  that  eventually  the  Ger- 
man authorities  handed  over  the  whole  matter  to 
the  camp  committees.  Now  this  food  is  controlled 
by  four  inspectors  (British)  and  the  contract  sys- 
tem has  been  abandoned.  Complaints  as  to  the 
quantity  and  quality  of  the  food  still  exist.    It 


212     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

appears  that  formerly  practically  the  entire  camp 
had  to  be  supplied  from  the  kitchens.  There  was 
often  insufficient  food  for  the  entire  camp  and  the 
late  comers  secured  food  of  poor  quality.  This 
has  been  entirely  eliminated  due  to  the  food  sup- 
plies transmitted  from  England  by  parcels  post  to 
the  camp.  All  kinds  of  food  bread,  canned  meat, 
canned  vegetables,  etc.,  are  sent  in ;  in  one  month 
some  10,000  packages  were  received.  As  a  result 
of  these  additions  to  the  food  supplies  a  large 
precentage  of  men  do  not  march  to  the  kitchens 
for  their  food.  From  one  barrack  of  250  men 
certainly  not  more  than  100  reported  for  dinner 
the  day  we  inspected  the  camp.  The  dinner  this 
day  consisted  of  fish  well  cooked,  and  potatoes  of 
good  grade  and  well  cooked.  Opportunity  is 
given  in  an  auxiliary  kitchen  for  the  interned  to 
receive  hot  water  at  2  francs  per  kilo  and  a  range 
is  provided  where  they  may  cook  their  own  food 
received  by  parcels  post.  The  bread  supplied  is 
the  usual  soldier's  bread,  heavy  and  hard  and  a 
bit  soggy.  This  is  not  used  when  the  interned 
can  secure  wheat  bread  from  Switzerland  or 
home.  Fish  and  meat  days  are  not  observed  as 
required  for  the  German  population  but  practi- 
cally to  the  same  effect,  i.e.,  in  the  camp  certain 
barracks  serve  meat  on  certain  days,  other  bar- 
racks on  other  days.  Outside  two  days  in  the 
week  are  definitely  designated  as  fish  days. 

Complaint  is  made  by  the  men  that  the  German 
guard  is  supplied  with  a  much  more  generous 


CAMPS  FOR  CIVILIANS  INTERNED       213 

diet ;  they  are,  however,  on  a  war  footing  and  de- 
tailed for  heavy  work,  etc. 

For  those  who  can  pay  a  restaurant  with  table 
d'hote  meals  exists  in  the  Casino.  Here  the  con- 
valescent, ill,  and  those  who  work,  if  they  have  the 
money,  may  secure  not  only  good  food,  but  also 
beer,  wine  etc.  Complaint  was  made  that  the 
prices  are  exorbitant ;  for  wine,  at  least  twice  that 
for  which  the  same  may  be  bought  outside.  The 
officers  of  the  guard  secure  their  food  here  so  that 
the  complaint  is  again  made  that  they  serve  a  five 
or  six  course  meal  for  marks  1.50,  thus  having  the 
Casino  Restaurant  seem  at  a  loss  on  the  camp 
books. 

Exekcise.  Compulsory  exercise  is  not  en- 
forced. A  large  area,  one  half  of  the  racing  en- 
closure, 200  x  150  yards,  is  used  for  football ;  two 
fields  may  be  occupied  at  the  same  time.  Barrack 
teams  have  been  organized  and  a  regular  schedule 
of  games  has  been  arranged.  In  this  way  a  large 
number  of  men  obtain  exercise.  A  short  golf 
course  of  five  holes,  and  several  tennis  courts  are 
available  for  those  who  play  these  games.  For 
others  the  enclosure  is  sufficiently  large  to  obtain 
exercise  by  walking  about. 

Bathing.  All  interned,  by  barrack  formation 
are  expected  to  bathe  once  a  week  in  a  bathing 
building  outside  the  enclosure  where  warm  show- 
ers are  used.  Many  of  the  men  avail  themselves 
of  the  opportunity  of  the  more  frequent  use  of  the 
cold  showers  within  the  enclosure.    These  men 


214     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY, 

are  not  compelled  to  take  the  hot  weekly  bath  if 
they  do  not  desire  to  do  so. 

Medical  Attention.  For  those  who  are  ill  with 
slight  ailments  a  temporary  hospital  within  the 
enclosure  is  available.  For  more  severe  ailments 
a  larger  hospital  outside  the  grounds  is  used. 
This  was  previously  a  railway  station  for  emi- 
grants sailing  for  America.  About  fifty  patients 
with  rheumatism,  pleurisy,  pulmonary  tubercu- 
losis, pneumonia,  gall  stones,  neurasthenia  and 
mild  depression  psychoses  were  here  being 
treated.  The  medical  staff  consists  of  surgeons 
of  the  Sanitary  Corps  of  the  army,  a  captain  and 
a  lieutenant.  Hospital  orderly  service  and  nurs- 
ing are  done  by  the  interned. 

Hygiene.  The  public  latrines  are  of  a  military 
type  and  have  to  be  pumped  out.  There  is  no 
privacy  here.  In  order  to  overcome  this,  private 
latrines  have  been  installed  from  the  prisoners' 
funds  which  may  be  used  on  payment  of  a  small 
fee.     There  is  no  other  drainage  at  this  camp. 

Amusements.  In  addition  to  the  games  above 
mentioned  which  afford  an  out-of-door  interest  not 
only  to  the  players  but  to  the  majority  of  those  in 
the  camp,  a  theatre,  seating  350,  with  all  the  nec- 
essary stage  apparatus,  lighting,  etc.,  has  been  in- 
stalled in  one  of  the  buildings.  Nightly  perform- 
ances of  farces,  vaudeville  and  Shakespearean 
plays  are  here  given.  In  addition  to  this  a  cin- 
ematograph is  in  operation  with  two  perform- 
ances daily.    For  both  of  these  a  fee  is  charged. 


CAMPS  FOR  CIVILIANS  INTERNED       215 

Education.  Educational  facilities  are  availa- 
ble for  those  who  care  to  take  advantage  of  them. 
Some  eight  or  ten  rooms  on  the  second  story  of 
one  of  the  buildings  are  used  for  various  classes. 
French,  English,  German,  navigation,  mathe- 
matics, biology,  physics,  and  chemistry  are  taught. 
Crude  laboratories  have  been  installed  with  primi- 
tive apparatus  for  chemistry  and  physics;  the 
biological  laboratory  is  equipped  with  three  mi- 
croscopes and  simple  improvised  apparatus. 
Sufficient  material  for  demonstration  is  easily 
found  in  the  camp.  The  classes  are  well  attended 
and  the  work  and  teaching  receives  serious  atten- 
tion. In  some  of  the  subjects,  navigation,  for  ex- 
ample, arrangements  have  been  made  with  the 
school  authorities  in  England,  so  that  after  ex- 
amination, this  work  counts  as  so  many  units  in 
the  course  for  a  certificate.  All  a  man's  available 
time  may  be  occupied  with  these  courses.  At  the 
change  of  hours  the  hurrying  of  these  grownups 
with  note  books  in  hand  from  the  class  buildings 
reminds  one  of  the  universities  at  home. 

Dentistey.  A  dental  room  has  been  established 
from  the  camp  funds  and  with  the  help  of  the  Em- 
bassy funds,  for  the  care  of  the  teeth ;  Dr.  Eobert- 
son  and  Dr.  Moore  are  in  charge.  Dr.  Moore  is  a 
graduate  of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania  and 
was  practicing  in  Munich  when  the  war  broke  out. 
The  dentists  have  quarters  in  the  same  dental  lab- 
oratory building.  The  interned  pay  for  the  den- 
tal work  when  they  can.    All  of  the  fees  go  to  pay 


216     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

for  the  installation  and  upkeep  of  the  depart- 
ment. 

In  addition  to  the  above  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  has' 
erected  a  building  with  American  funds.  There 
is  a  large  hall,  with  a  stage  at  one  end,  which  may 
be  used  as  a  reading,  and  working,  and  writing 
room  when  not  used  for  religious  services.  The 
stage  is  fitted  up  with  an  altar  for  the  English  or 
Eussian  churches,  but  may  be  used  for  any  of  the 
denominations.  Prayer  services  are  held  here 
every  morning  and  afternoon.  There  is  in  addi- 
tion to  this  a  small  Eoman  Catholic  chapel  and  a 
Jewish  synagogue.  A  German  Catholic  priest  re- 
sides voluntarily  in  the  camp.  He  has  about  200 
Catholics  under  his  charge. 

There  are  two  large  rooms  at  the  end  of  the 
building,  one  of  which  is  used  as  a  reference  li- 
brary, equipped  with  about  2000  volumes  sent 
from  England.  The  other  room  is  used  as  a  com- 
mittee room  and  is  well  stored  with  religious 
books.  In  addition  to  this  there  is  a  circulating  li- 
brary of  2500  volumes  in  the  camp. 

Clubs.  There  are  some  ten  or  more  clubs. 
These  are  composed  of  men  who  have  built  small 
rooms  for  themselves  in  the  side  of  one  of  the 
buildings.  They  make  good  small  living-rooms 
and  are  decorated  according  to  the  taste  of  the 
members.  One  large  club  was  granted  permission 
to  organize,  by  the  military  authorities,  without 
consultation  with  the  camp  committees.'  The  lat- 
ter have  no  control  over  it  and  disapprove  of  this 


CAMPS  FOR  CIVILIANS  INTERNED       217 

club  and  will  have  nothing  to  do  with  it.  Before 
the  organization  of  the  smaller  clubs,  a  group  of 
men  had  roped  off  a  corner  of  the  football  field 
and  called  this  their  club ;  and  so  the  child  in  the 
man  comes  to  the  surface  quickly  under  confine- 
ment and  adverse  circumstances. 

Journals.  A  daily  and  weekly  are  published  in 
the  camp.  The  daily  journal  is  a  mimeographed 
sheet  giving  the  official  communications  from  the 
different  fronts  and  the  dispatches  from  the  daily 
newspapers.  The  weekly  is  a  more  pretentious 
booklet  containing  short  stories,  poems,  etc.,  and 
the  reports  of  the  various  athletic  activities. 

The  mail  and  package  service  are  well  taken 
care  of.  Both  letters  and  mail  packages  are  cen- 
sored by  a  German  noncommissioned  officer.  A 
special  department  is  devoted  to  the  reception  of 
packages.  When  it  is  considered  that  in  one 
month  10,000  packages  are  received  for  5000  men, 
it  will  easily  be  seen  how  important  a  matter  for 
camp  life  this  is.  It  appears  to  be  well  admin- 
istered. 

Permission  has  been  granted  to  men  who  were 
engaged  in  active  business  before  internment  to 
write  extra  letters  for  the  continuation  of  their 
business. 

Visitors.  Women  visitors  are  not  permitted. 
Men  are  permitted  when  possessed  of  the  proper 
permission.  The  interned  are  not  permitted  to 
visit  their  families  in  Berlin  or  elsewhere  in  Ger- 
many except  in  the  event  of  serious  illness,  which, 


218     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY* 

the  interned  say,  must  be  so  serious  that  the  rela- 
tive is  usually  dead  when  they  arrive. 

Wokk.  The  interned  are  not  compelled  to  work 
about  the  camp.  If  they  are,  however,  willing  to 
do  it,  they  are  paid  for  the  service.  Most  of  these 
men  refuse  on  the  ground  that  it  will  be  of  some 
aid  to  the  Germans. 

Food  conditions  during  the  summer  of  1916  was 
a  matter  of  much  discussion  in  the  public  prints  in 
England  and  evidently  much  concern  on  the  part 
of  the  general  public.  The  technical  food  survey 
made  by  Dr.  A.  E.  Taylor  was  exceptionally  well 
done  and  a  fine  piece  of  scientific  work.  It  re- 
vealed the  fact  that  the  quantity  of  the  food  was 
definitely  below  the  amount  actually  needed  by  this 
large  number  of  men.  It  was  later  admitted  that 
the  large  amount  of  food  being  sent  to  the  camp 
from  England  was  taken  into  consideration  in  the 
supply  sent  to  the  kitchen.  There  was  no  evi- 
dence at  the  time,  so  far  as  the  general  appearance 
of  the  men  was  concerned,  of  any  marked  lack  of 
nutrition.  The  pro-German  group  and  those 
British  who  as  a  matter  of  principle  refused  to 
accept  food  (demanding  as  a  right  that  the  Ger- 
man authorities  feed  them  and  feed  them  prop- 
erly), were  the  only  ones  who  suffered  from  the 
reduction  of  the  food  ration.  It  was  stated  that 
the  camp  authorities,  realizing  the  impending  and 
prospective  food  shortage,  had  accumulated  a 
large  fund  from  the  reduction  in  the  camp  food  so 
that  at  the  high  prices  of  the  future  they  would 


,  CAMPS  FOR  CIVILIANS  INTERNED       219 

still  be  able  to  supply  the  camp  with  sufficient  nu- 
tritious food.  While  the  food  for  the  most  part 
was  unattractive  on  account  of  its  method  of  prep- 
aration and  while  some  of  the  food  used,  such  as 
boiled  sausage,  that  to  which  Englishmen  were  un- 
accustomed, it  was  on  the  whole  nutritious  and 
unobjectionable.  The  objection  of  some  of  the 
men,  usually  stokers,  and  men  of  the  laboring 
class,  to  some  of  the  food  appeared  to  be  unrea- 
sonable. The  kitchen  committee,  who  had  con- 
trol of  the  preparation  of  the  food,  was  composed 
of  exceptional  men.  What  these  men  had  to  put 
up  with  in  scurrilous  criticism  from  some  of  the 
lower  orders  in  the  camp  as  a  return  for  unselfish 
devotion  to  their  self-imposed  task,  I  am  afraid, 
will  not  be  included  in  the  tales  of  Euhleben. 

CAMP   AT   SCHOLOSS   CELLA 

The  camp  at  Scholoss  Cella  was  intended  for 
certain  of  the  better  classes,  particularly  officers 
on  the  reserve  list  or  those  too  old  for  military 
duty.  It  is  a  large  and  attractive  castle  formally 
the  property  of  the  kings  of  Hanover.  The  build- 
ing is  very  old,  the  sanitation  and  bathing  facil- 
ities deficient.  While  there  is  a  large  park  around 
the  castle  the  civilians  interned  were  not  permit- 
ted here  on  account  of  the  difficulty  of  guarding 
them.  The  interned  were  well  housed  in  bed- 
rooms containing  from  six  to  fourteen  beds;  the 
beds  in  some  cases  were  arranged  in  bunk  form 
in  double   tiers.    Thirty  British  were  here   in- 


220     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

terned.    Apart  from  the  lack  of  space  for  exercise 
and  games  and  the  food,  no  complaints  were  made. 

THE   CAMP  AT   HOLZMINDEJST 

The  camp  for  civilians  interned  at  Holzminden 
was  beautifully  situated  in  a  rolling  country. 
Five  thousand  civilians  are  interned  in  this  camp, 
of  whom  735  are  women.  It  is  a  very  large  camp 
with  84  barracks  all  closely  placed  together  and 
surrounded  by  the  usual  barbed-wire  enclosure. 
Fourteen  of  these  barracks  were  devoted  to 
women  and  children.  French,  Eussian,  Belgian 
and  Servian  and  a  few  English  were  found  in- 
terned in  this  camp.  While  this  camp  was  built 
for  the  purpose  of  a  concentration  camp  for  civil- 
ians, it  has,  if  anything,  a  more  sordid  appearance 
than  the  improvised  camp  at  Euhleben.  There  ap- 
pears to  be  little  excuse  for  the  large  number  of 
prisoners  confined  in  this  limited  space ;  the  coun- 
try all  about  is  open  and  much  more  space  could 
have  been  devoted  to  the  barracks  and  for  recrea- 
tion. In  contradistinction  to  the  Euhleben  the 
guard  is  found  everywhere  within  the  camp.  Mil- 
itary discipline  is  enforced.  The  administration 
is  in  the  hands  of  the  German  authorities.  The 
interned  here  are  permitted  to  volunteer  for  work 
and  are  leased  under  contract  at  the  usual  rate  of 
pay  of  German  workmen.  In*wet  weather  the 
sordid  appearance  of  the  camp  is  markedly  in- 
creased, due  to  the  confinement  of  the  interned  in 
their  barracks.     This  is  particularly  true  of  the 


CAMPS  FOR  CIVILIANS  INTERNED       221 

women  who  are  confined  in  a  separate  barbed-wire 
enclosure  and  only  permitted  the  run  of  the  camp 
at  certain  hours  of  the  day  when  they  mingle  with 
the  men  to  attend  concerts,  games,  exhibitions,  etc. 
My  last  visit  of  inspection  to  this  camp  was  to  look 
up  the  cases  of  five  stewardesses  from  the  Brus- 
sels, the  ship  commanded  by  Captain  Fryat,  who 
was  executed  about  this  time.  I  found  the  portion 
of  the  camp  devoted  to  women  overcrowded  and 
not  any  too  clean.  These  women  complained  that 
they  had  been,  from  the  time  of  their  capture  on 
June  23, 1916,  taken  to  Brhuge,  then  to  Ghent,  then 
to  Cologne  and  finally  to  Holzminden,  and  during 
this  trip  they  had  lost  practically  all  their  personal 
effects.  They  were  unable  to  eat  the  camp  food 
and  were  subsisting  entirely  on  the  parcel  food 
given  them  by  the  French  and  Belgian  women  of 
the  camp.  The  barracks  were  12  x  12  x  14  feet, 
with  6  double  windows.  The  beds  of  their  bar- 
racks were  arranged  in  the  form  of  double  tier 
built-in  bunks.  Mattresses  were  bags  filled  with 
excelsior.  They  complained  bitterly  of  the  ver- 
min in  these  bunks.  While  a  German  steward- 
ess was  in  charge  of  each  barrack  for  women,  a 
very  disagreeable  impression  was  made  by  the 
presence  of  German  soldiers  with  fixed  bayonets 
in  these  barracks.  During  the  day  privacy  was 
out  of  the  question.  Some  of  the  women  were 
lying  in  their  bunks  and  complained  of  being  ill, 
but  not  sufficiently  ill  to  go  to  a  hospital.  While 
some    of    the    women    were    exceptionally    well 


222     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

dressed,  for  the  most  part  they  were  rather  slov- 
enly in  appearance,  which  added  to  the  general 
sordid  and  disagreeable  impression  of  this  portion 
of  the  camp.  On  the  day  of  this  inspection  it  had 
been  raining,  and  mud  was  everywhere.  Whether 
due  to  the  weather  or  not,  there  was  a  general 
atmosphere  of  depression  and  uncleanliness. 

What  possible  object  could  the  Imperial  German 
Government  have  in  confining  babes  in  arms,  chil- 
dren, young  women,  middle  aged  women  and  old 
women  tottering  to  the  grave,  in  barracks  in  such 
a  camp?  They  surely  could  not  have  been  all 
spies  or  even  suspicious  characters.  An  agree- 
ment had  been  made  to  permit  all  British  women 
to  be  returned  to  England  if  they  so  desired. 
Several  British  women  were  still  in  the  camp, 
however,  for  one  reason  or  another.  The  conten- 
tion of  the  German  authorities  was  that  these 
Women  had  violated  police  regulations  in  not  re- 
turning to  their  homes  at  a  certain  definite  fixed 
hour.  The  most  that  I  can  say  of  this,  as  only 
the  cases  of  the  British  were  investigated,  is  to 
quote  the  statements  made  by  three  or  four  of 
these  women: 

Case  of  Miss  S .  Miss  S had  pre- 
viously refused  to  return  to  England.  The  Brit- 
ish Government  declined  to  support  her  in  Ger- 
many as  a  free  civilian,  and  she  has  since  been  in- 
terned in  Holzminden.     Miss  S confirmed  the 

statement  of  the  commandant  that  she  refused  to 
go  to  England,  her  refusal  being  based  on  the 


"When   will  the   war  end?"     This   is   the  poignant  expression 

everywhere 


Men,  women  and  children  languishing  in  a  hostile  land 


CAMPS  FOR  CIVILIANS  INTERNED       223 

ground  that  she  had  never  lived  there  and  had 
neither  friends  nor  family  there.  Her  home  is  in 
Queenstown,  Cape  Colony,  South  Africa.  She 
wished  to  return  to  her  home. 

Case  of  Miss  C .    She  had  been  in  Holz- 

minden  three  weeks,  born  in  England,  she  has  been 
in  Germany  four  years,  living  at  Klein-Flottbeek 
as  a  nurse.  She  wrote  a  letter  to  a  friend  in  Ruh- 
leben,  in  which  she  made  remarks  about  Kitch- 
ener's death  which  offended  the  censor  officials  in 
Ruhleben.  On  being  advised  of  this,  she  sent  an 
apology  to  Graf  Schwerin.  Later  she  was  seized 
and  brought  to  Holzminden.  She  had  a  British 
passport,  which  was  taken  from  her  by  the  author- 
ities from  Holzminden.  She  is  in  need  of  clothes 
and  wishes  to  be  removed  to  England. 

Case  of  Mrs.  B .    Mrs.  B has  been  in 

Holzminden  since  June  29,  1916.  She  was  born 
in  Germany.  Her  husband,  a  Dane,  had  lived  in 
England  for  more  than  twenty  years.  She  came 
to  Germany  two  years  before  the  war  broke  out, 
living  at  Holstein,  where  her  son  was  working  in  a 
foundry.  Two  prisoners  of  war  escaped  from 
the  place  where  he  was  working;  she  stated  that 
her  son  was  arrested  charged  with  complicity  in 
their  escape,  and  she  was  seized  and  sent  to  Holz- 
minden. 

Case  of  Mes.  0 .    Mrs.  0 was  the  wife 

of  a  professor  of  one  of  the  Canadian  universities. 
She  was  in  Switzerland  at  the  commencement  of 
the  war  and  then  went  to  Hamburg.    In  August, 


224     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

1914,  she  was  supplied  with  150  marks  from  the 
American  consul  general  at  Hamburg.  She  went 
to  Holland,  and  had  some  difficulty  in  getting 
across  to  England,  so  she  returned  to  Hamburg, 
where  she  has  been  since  that  time.  She  dis- 
obeyed the  police  regulations  that  she  must  be  in 
her  dwelling  place  after  8  p.  m.,  and  for  that  rea- 
son has  been  interned  at  Holzminden.  She  con- 
siders herself  a  British  subject. 

Surely  a  civilized  government  should  have  far 
more  serious  reasons  than  stated  in  these  cases 
to  create  such  an  atmosphere  as  that  in  Holzmin- 
den. 

In  contrast  to  the  camp,  the  commandant  and 
his  officers  were  housed  in  a  fine  sanatarium  build- 
ing some  distance  away.  He  took  no  pains  to  con- 
ceal a  very  cordial  dislike  in  anything  connected 
or  concerned  with  the  British,  including  the  in- 
spection officers  of  the  Embassy.  As  an  open 
manifestation  of  this  a  printed  copy  of  the 
"Hymn  of  Hate"  was  hung  ostentatiously  in  the 
commandant's  office  where  every  one  entering 
might  "read  as  they  ran,"  if  they  could.  He  at 
first  denied  on  both  visits  that  there  were  any 
British  in  the  camp.  It  was  only  after  an  insis- 
tent attitude  on  our  part  that  the  matter  was  in- 
vestigated. As  usual  in  prison  camps  his  atti- 
tude and  frame  of  mind  was  communicated  to 
those  under  him  and  through  the  camp.  As  in 
working  camps,  the  brutalizing  influence  of  crude, 
coarse,  unsanitary  conditions  of  a  large  camp  was 


CAMPS  FOR  CIVILIANS  INTERNED       225 

well  shown  in  the  women's  section.    To  me  look- 
ing back  upon  it,  it  was  an  unspeakable  place. 

After  a  careful  inspection  of  the  German  in- 
terned in  England  it  may  be  stated  that  Germany 
has  failed  miserably  in  meeting  this  problem  as 
compared  with  the  solution  of  it  by  the  British. 
Even  after  two  years  of  almost  constant  remon- 
strance, complaint,  urging  and  threats  in  reference 
to  Euhleben,  Ambassador  Gerard  was  compelled 
to  report  to  the  London  Foreign  Office  as  follows : 

"I  regret  to  state  that  practically  no  improve- 
ment in  the  housing  of  the  prisoners  has  been 
made.  The  barracks  at  Euhleben  are  over- 
crowded. The  imperial  authorities,  after  nearly 
two  years  of  war,  have  certainly  had  ample  time 
to  improve  accommodations  for  the  prisoners.  It 
is  intolerable  that  people  of  education  should  be 
herded  six  together  in  a  horse's  stall;  and  in  some 
of  the  lofts  the  bunks  touch  one  another.  The 
light  for  reading  is  bad,  and  reading  is  a  neces- 
sity if  these  poor  prisoners  are  to  be  detained  dur- 
ing another  winter. 

"In  the  hayloft  above  the  stables  conditions  are 
even  worse.  For  example,  in  Barrack  No.  2,  one- 
half  section  of  the  loft  is,  at  the  center,  about  two 
feet  from  the  floor  from  the  highest  point;  and 
the  loft  slopes  downward,  so  that  at  the  sides  it 
is  only  four  and  a  half  feet  above  the  floor.  The 
floor  of  this  part  of  the  loft  is  about  10.80  meters 
by  12.80  meters.  The  beds  are  so  close  together 
that  they  touch.    In  this  confined  space  sixty-four 


226     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

men  live.  The  light  from  the  little  windows  is  so 
faint  that  the  prisoner 's  eyes  will  be  seriously  in- 
jured, if  the  sight  is  not  permanently  lost,  and 
this  semidarkness  will  undoubtedly  cause  depres- 
sion and  mental  trouble. 

"The  heating  system  should  be  improved  and 
provision  made  for  the  drying  of  clothes  by  radi- 
ators or  a  drying  room  in  each  barrack.  The 
prisoners  are  obliged  to  answer  roll  calls  outside, 
often  in  the  rain,  and  have  no  means  of  drying 
their  soaked  garments. 

"Many  things,  such  as  soap — usually  issued  to 
prisoners,  even  in  jails,  I  am  informed — have 
never  been  given  to  the  prisoners  at  Euhleben. 
Various  authorities  from  time  to  time  have  prom- 
ised that  the  housing  would  be  bettered.  The 
present  conditions  should  no  longer  prevail;  dur- 
ing another  winter  they  will  be  impossible.  ..." 


CHAPTER  XIV 

INTERNATIONAL   LAW   AS   APPLIED   TO   THE 
PRISONER   OF   WAR 

IT  should  be  borne  in  mind  that  an  examination 
of  The  Hague  Convention  will  show  that  Great 
Britain  was  a  signatory  to  the  first  Hague  Con- 
vention in  1899.  Under  that  convention,  1899,  in 
article  five  it  is  stated  as  follows : 

"In  the  event  of  one  of  the  high  contracting 
Parties  denouncing  the  present  Convention,  such 
denunciation  would  not  take  effect  until  a  year 
after  the  notification  made  to  the  Netherland  Gov- 
ernment, and  by  it  at  once  communicated  to  all  the 
other  contracting  Powers. ' ' 

Great  Britain  acted  upon  this  article. 

In  the  second  Hague  Convention  of  1907,  under 
article  four,  it  is  stated  that:  "The  present  Con- 
vention, duly  ratified,  shall  as  between  the  con- 
tracting Powers  be  substituted  for  the  Conven- 
tion of  the  29th,  July  1899,  respecting  the  laws  and 
customs  of  war  on  land." 

The  Convention  of  1899  remains  in  force  as  be- 
tween the  Powers  which  signed  it,  and  which  do 
not  also  ratify  the  present  Convention. 

It  will,  therefore,  be  seen  that  from  a  standpoint 
of  International  Law,  that  The  Hague  Conven- 

227, 


228     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

V 

tion  of  1899  respecting  the  laws  and  customs  of 
war  on  land  still  obtains  as  between  Germany  and 
.Great  Britain. 

Chapter  II.    On  Prisoners  of  War 
Article  4 

Prisoners  of  war  are  in  the  power  of  the  hos- 
tile Government,  but  not  in  that  of  the  individuals 
or  corps  who  captured  them. 

They  must  be  humanely  treated. 

All  their  personal  belongings,  except  arms, 
horses,  and  military  papers,  remain  their  prop- 
erty. 

Article  5 

Prisoners  of  war  may  be  interned  in  a  town, 
fortress,  camp,  or  any  other  locality ;  but  they  can 
only  be  confined  as  an  indispensable  measure  of 
safety. 

Article  6 

The  State  may  utilize  the  labor  of  the  prisoner 
of  war  according  to  their  rank  and  aptitude. 
Their  tasks  shall  not  be  excessive,  and  shall  have 
nothing  to  do  with  the  military  operations. 

Prisoners  may  be  authorized  to  work  for  the 
public  service,  for  private  persons,  or  on  their  own 
account. 

Work  done  for  the  State  shall  be  paid  for  ac- 
cording to  the  tariffs  in  force  for  soldiers  of  the 
national  army  employed  on  similar  tasks. 

When  the  work  is  for  other  branches  of  the 


INTERNATIONAL  LAW  229 

public  service  or  for  private  persons,  the  condi- 
tions shall  be  settled  in  agreement  with  the  mili- 
tary authorities. 

The  wages  of  the  prisoners  shall  go  towards 
improving  their  position,  and  the  balance  shall  be 
paid  them  at  the  time  of  their  release,  after  de- 
ducting the  cost  of  their  maintenance. 

Article  7 

The  Government  into  whose  hands  prisoners  of 
war  have  fallen  is  bound  to  maintain  them. 

General  Treatment.  Failing  a  special  agree- 
ment between  the  belligerents,  prisoners  of  war 
shall  be  treated  as  regards  food,  quarters  and 
clothing,  on  the  same  footing  as  the  troops  of  the 
Government  which  has  captured  them. 

Article  8 

Prisoners  of  war  shall  be  subject  to  the  laws, 
regulations,  and  orders  in  force  in  the  army  of  the 
State  into  whose  hands  they  have  fallen.  Any  act 
of  insubordination  warrants  the  adoption,  as  re- 
gards them,  of  such  measures  of  severity  as  may 
be  necessary. 

Escaped  prisoners,  recaptured  before  they  have 
succeeded  in  rejoining  their  army,  or  before  quit- 
ting the  territory  occupied  by  the  army  that  cap- 
tured them,  are  liable  to  disciplinary  punishment. 

Prisoners  who,  after  succeeding  in  escaping  are 
again  taken  prisoners,  are  not  liable  to  any  pun- 
ishment for  the  previous  flight. 


230     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY, 

Article  9 

Every  prisoner  of  war,  if  questioned,  is  bound 
to  declare  his  true  name  and  rank,  and  if  he  dis- 
regards this  rule,  he  is  liable  to  a  curtailment  of 
the  advantages  accorded  to  the  prisoner  of  war  of 
his  class. 

Article  10 

Prisoners  of  war  may  be  set  at  liberty  on  parole 
if  the  laws  of  their  country  authorize  it,  and  in 
such  a  case,  they  are  bound,  on  their  personal 
honor,  scrupulously  to  fulfil,  both  as  regards  their 
own  Government  and  the  Government  by  whom 
they  were  made  prisoners,  the  engagements  they 
have  contracted. 

Eecogjstition  of.  In  such  cases,  their  own  Gov- 
ernmenfshall  not  require  of  nor  accept  from  them 
any  service  incompatible  with  the  parole  given. 

Article  11 

A  prisoner  of  war  cannot  be  forced  to  accept  his 
liberty  on  parole;  similarly  the  hostile  Govern- 
ment is  not  obliged  to  assent  to  the  prisoner's  re- 
quest to  be  set  at  liberty  on  parole. 

Article  12 

Any  prisoner  of  war,  who  is  liberated  on  parole 
and  recaptured,  bearing  arms  against  the  Govern- 
ment to  whom  he  had  pledged  his  honor,  or  against 
the  allies  of  that  Government  forfeits  his  right  to 


INTERNATIONAL  LAW  231 

be   treated  as   a  prisoner   of  war,   and  can  be 
brought  before  the  courts. 

Article  13 

Individuals  who  follow  an  army  without  directly- 
belonging  to  it,  such  as  newspaper  correspondents 
and  reporters,  sutlers,  contractors,  who  fall  into 
the  enemy's  hands,  and  whom  the  latter  think  fit 
to  detain,  have  a  right  to  be  treated  as  prisoners  of 
war,  provided  they  can  produce  a  certificate  from 
the  military  authorities  of  the  army  they  were 
accompanying. 

Article  14 

A  bureau  for  information  relative  to  prisoners 
of  war  is  instituted,  on  the  commencement  of  hos- 
tilities, in  each  of  the  belligerent  States,  and,  when 
necessary,  in  the  neutral  countries  on  whose  terri- 
tory belligerents  have  been  received.  This  bureau 
is  intended  to  answer  all  inquiries  about  prisoners 
of  war,  and  is  furnished  by  the  various  services 
concerned  with  all  the  necessary  information  to 
enable  it  to  keep  an  individual  return  for  each 
prisoner  of  war.  It  is  kept  informed  of  intern- 
ments and  changes,  as  well  as  of  admissions  into 
hospitals  and  deaths. 

It  is  also  the  duty  of  the  information  bureau  to 
receive  and  collect  all  objects  of  personal  use,  val- 
uables, letters,  etc.,  found  on  battlefields  or  left 
by  prisoners  who  have  died  in  hospital  or  ambu- 
lance, and  to  transmit  them  to  those  interested. 


232    THE  PRISONER  OF  "WAR  IN  GERMANY 

Article  15 

Eelief  societies  for  prisoners  of  war,  which  are 
regularly  constituted  in  accordance  with  the  law 
of  the  country  with  the  object  of  serving  as  the  in- 
termediary for  charity,  shall  receive  from  the  bel- 
ligerents for  themselves  and  their  duly  accredited 
agents  every  facility,  within  the  bounds  of  mili- 
tary requirements  and  administrative  regulations, 
for  the  effective  accomplishments  of  their  humane 
task.  Delegates  of  these  societies  may  be  admit- 
ted to  the  places  of  internment  for  the  distribution 
of  relief,  as  also  the  halting  places  of  repatriated 
prisoners,  if  furnished  with  a  personal  permit  by 
the  military  authorities,  and  on  giving  an  engage- 
ment in  writing  to  comply  with  all  their  regula- 
tions for  order  and  police. 

Article  16 

The  information  bureau  shall  have  the  privilege 
of  free  postage.  Letters,  money  orders,  and  val- 
uables, as  well  as  postal  parcels  destined  for  the 
prisoners  of  war  or  dispatched  by  them  shall  be 
free  of  all  postal  duties  both  in  the  countries  of 
origin  and  destination,  as  well  as  in  those  they 
pass  through. 

Gifts  and  relief  in  kind  for  prisoners  of  war 
shall  be  admitted  free  of  all  duties  of  entry  and 
others,  as  well  as  of  payments  for  carriage  by 
the  Government  railways. 


INTERNATIONAL  LAW  233 

ARTICLE   17 

Officers  taken  prisoners  may  receive,  if  neces- 
sary, the  full  pay  allowed  them  in  this  position  by 
their  country's  regulations,  the  amount  to  be  re- 
paid by  their  Government. 

Article  18 

Prisoners  of  war  shall  enjoy  every  latitude  in 
the  exercise  of  their  religion,  including  attendance 
at  their  own  church  services,  provided  only  they 
comply  with  regulations  for  order  and  police  is- 
sued by  the  military  authorities. 

Article  19 

The  wills  of  prisoners  of  war  are  received  or 
drawn  up  on  the  same  conditions  as  for  soldiers 
of  the  national  army. 

Burials,  Etc.  The  same  rules  shall  be  ob- 
served regarding  death  certificates,  as  well  as  for 
the  burial  of  prisoners  of  war,  due  regard  being 
paid  to  their  grade  and  rank. 

Article  20 

After  the  conclusion  of  peace,  the  repatriation 
of  prisoners  of  war  shall  take  place  as  speedily  as 
possible. 

Chapter  III.    On  the  Sick  and  Wounded 

Article  21 

The  obligations  of  belligerents  with  regard  to 
the  sick  and  wounded  are  governed  by  the  Geneva 


234    THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

Convention  of  the  22nd,  August  1864,  subject  to 
any  modifications  which  may  be  introduced  into 
it. 

A  critical  analysis  will  show  in  a  general  way 
the  provisions  of  The  Hague  Convention  in  ref- 
erence to  the  prisoners  of  war  in  Germany  have 
not  been  respected.  It  is  evident,  however,  from 
the  general  substance  of  this  report  that  these  reg- 
ulations neither  go  far  enough  or  are  they  suffi- 
ciently specific  in  a  general  way  or  in  detail  to  in- 
sure for  the  prisoner  of  w£r  a  treatment  consist- 
ent with  the  present  status  of  civilization.  While 
the  actual  fighting  may  be  considered  a  relic  of 
barbarism  the  prisoner  of  war  shortly  after  his 
capture  is  removed  from  this  atmosphere  and  the 
treatment  extended  to  him  should  be  consistent 
with  the  general  aims  and  ideals  of  the  people 
who  hold  him  prisoner.  If  The  Hague  Conven- 
tion be  a  Convention  as  between  civilized  peoples, 
treatment  of  the  prisoner  of  war  should  be  in- 
sisted upon  in  conformity  with  the  usages  of  civ- 
ilized nations.  With  this  end  in  view  all  those 
factors  which  during  the  present  war  have  oper- 
ated to  the  disadvantage  of  the  prisoner  should  be 
carefully  considered  in  future  Conventions  and 
Eegulations  governing  them  drawn  up,  not  in  a 
general  way,  but  in  detail. 

In  reference  to  First:  The  provisions  govern- 
ing the  prisoner  of  war : 


INTERNATIONAL  LAW  235 

Article  4 

"Prisoners  of  war  are  in  the  power  of  the  hostile 
Government,  but  not  in  that  of  the  individuals  or 
corps  who  captured  them. 

' '  They  must  be  humanely  treated. 

"All  their  personal  belongings,  except  arms, 
horses,  and  military  papers,  remain  their  prop- 
erty. ' ' 

While  here  there  is  a  distinct  provision  that 
the  prisoner  of  war  is  in  the  power  of  the  hostile 
Government,  but  is  not  in  that  of  the  individual 
corps  who  captured  them,  it  is,  nevertheless,  true 
that  while  the  corps  did  not  so  act  the  individual 
States  of  Germany,  Bavaria,  Saxony  and  Wurt- 
tenberg,  Prussia,  all  held  their  prisoners,  captured 
by  their  various  army  corps  in  their  individual 
States.  When  the  independent  attitude  of  the 
various  ministries  of  war  of  these  States  to  the 
Central  Government  at  Berlin  is  considered  it  is 
open  to  question  whether  the  spirit  of  this  article 
is  maintained. 

The  Central  Government  must  deal  directly 
through  its  Embassy  with  the  Central  Government 
of  the  Empire  and  not  that  of  the  individual 
States.  If  the  individual  States  and  even  the  in- 
dividual army  corps  commanders  within  such 
States  have  the  right  and  the  power  to  disregard 
recommendations  from  the  Central  Ministry  of 
War  at  Berlin  the  control  of  the  care  of  the  pris- 
oner of  war  and  the  correction  of  evils  incidental 


236    THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

thereto  will  be  found  increasingly  difficult  and 
often  impossible.  To  offer  an  analogy  would  be 
very  much  the  same  as  if  the  regiments  from  the 
various  States  in  the  United  States  should  turn 
over  to  their  respective  States  prisoners  of  war 
captured;  the  prisoner  would  then  remain  under 
divided  authority  and  responsibility  established 
as  between  the  War  Department  in  Washington 
and  the  local  State  governments. 

While  the  general  scheme  of  organization  plan 
of  camp  and  the  regulations  regarding  treatment, 
feeding  and  clothing  the  prisoner  of  war  was  ad- 
hered to.  Eegulations  concerning  the  governing 
of  the  prisoner  of  war  were  frequently  issued  by 
the  state  ministries  of  war  (Bavaria,  etc.),  and 
army  corps  commanders  directly  at  variance  with 
those  of  the  War  Ministry. 

The  second  part  of  this  provision,  that  pris- 
oners must  be  humanely  treated  could  not  even  be 
considered  as  true  in  reference  to  many  of  the 
matters  considered  in  this  book. 

Abticle  5 

''Prisoners  of  war  may  be  interned  in  a  town, 
fortress,  camp,  or  any  other  locality,  and  bound 
not  to  go  beyond  certain  fixed  limits ;  but  they  can 
only  be  confined  as  an  indispensable  measure  of 

safety." 

While  the  terms  of  this  article  are  somewhat  ob- 
scure it  may  be  stated  in  a  general  way  that  the 
principle  was  adhered  to.    In  reprisal  and  pun- 


INTERNATIONAL  LAW  237 

ishment  camps  it  was  not  respected  and  more  par- 
ticularly in  camps  such  as  Minden. 

In  Minden,  Langensalza,  and  other  "forcing 
camps,"  both  the  spirit  and  the  letter  of  this  pro- 
vision was  violated.  This  is  true  even  if  the 
term  " confined"  means  confinement  in  prison  for 
the  simple  reason  that  the  camp  at  Minden  could 
not  be  considered  as  other  than  prison  confine- 
ment. The  confinement  in  this  camp  pris6n  was 
not  "an  indispensable  measure  of  safety,"  but  a 
forcing  measure  to  compel  noncommissioned  offi- 
cers to  labor  in  working  camps. 

Article  6 

"A.  The  State  may  utilize  the  labor  of  the 
prisoner  of  war  according  to  their  rank  and  apti- 
tude. Their  tasks  shall  not  be  excessive  and  shall 
have  nothing  to  do  with  military  operations." 

"While  the  Convention  of  1899  does  not  consider 
the  question  of  officers  the  Convention  of  1907 
excepts  officers.  While  this  matter  was  consid- 
ered in  the  chapter  under  Working  Camps  it  may 
be  stated  in  a  general  way  that  as  far  as  the  Brit- 
ish prisoners  of  war  were  concerned  the  general 
spirit  of  this  article  was  obeyed.  The  question 
whether  the  noncommissioned  officer  should  be 
compelled  to  work  is  a  matter  which  gave  rise  to 
endless  trouble.  This  has  likewise  been  consid- 
ered under  the  chapter  on  the  Problems  of  the 
Working  Camps. 

A  matter  pressing  for  definition  is  what  con- 


238    THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

stitutes  "Military  Operations,"  (Convention  of 
1899),  "Operations  of  War,"  (Convention  of 
1907).  By  complaints  received  from  time  to  time 
the  British  prisoner  was  compelled  to  work  upon 
military  operations.  It  was  found  upon  investi- 
gation that  while  this  in  rare  instances  was  true,  it 
was  not  the  rule  and  upon  protest  upon  the  part 
of  the  Embassy  or  of  the  Inspection  the  matter 
was  immediately  corrected.  Whether  work  on 
military  roads  or  on  the  preliminary  stages  of 
munition  work  in  ship  yards  where  small  destroy- 
ers were  being  built,  but  in  which  department  the 
prisoner  of  war  did  not  come  in  contact,  consti- 
tutes military  operations  should  be  definitely  set- 
tled by  agreement.  Some  of  the  prisoners  of  war 
at  Homeln  even  went  so  far  as  to  contend  that 
working  in  a  canning  factory  was  assisting  in  mil- 
itary operations.  The  advice  of  the  Embassy  that 
such  a  position  could  not  be  supported  had  no 
effect  upon  those  who  had  refused  to  take  part  in 
such  work,  and  who  preferred  to  remain  in  punish- 
ment barracks  and  to  later  face  a  court  martial  on 
the  charge  of  refusal  to  work  rather  than  com- 
promise with  their  convictions  in  this  matter. 

While  there  was  much  to  be  said  for  the  position 
taken  by  the  prisoners  of  war,  inasmuch  as  the 
preparation  of  tin  foods  in  a  country  under  a  food 
blockade  may  be  considered  in  a  very  broad  way 
as  a  part  of  a  defensive  military  operation,  if  this 
position,  however,  were  taken  even  as  a  military 
proposition,  it  could  easily  be  extended  to  practi- 


INTERNATIONAL  LAW  239 

cally  every  type  of  work  to  which  the  prisoner  was 
assigned  in  Germany.  For  that  reason  there  is 
no  other  position  for  the  Embassy  to  take  than  to 
stand  strictly  upon  the  above  stipulation  of  mili- 
tary operation  or  operations  at  war.  Under  this 
one  cannot  go  much  further  than  to  insist  that  a 
prisoner  should  not  be  employed  either  in  the  dig- 
ging of  trenches  or  the  making  of  roads  designed 
directly  for  military  operations  in  the  military 
zones  adjacent  to  the  fighting  lines,  that  he  should 
not  be  employed  in  the  manufacture  of  explosives 
or  munitions  or  be  expected  to  handle  them  in 
transportation,  that  he  should  not  be  employed  on 
aeroplanes  nor  zeppelins  or  hangars  designed  to 
house  them,  nor  should  he  be  employed  either  di- 
rectly or  indirectly  in  the  building  of  water  craft 
designed  for  military  purposes.  While  it  was 
claimed  that  a  British  prisoner  of  war  was  em- 
ployed in  military  operations  in  the  east  front  in 
Poland,  this  can  neither  be  confirmed  nor  denied 
because  the  Embassy  was  refused  permission  to 
either  visit  or  inspect  prisoners  of  war  in  this 
area.  The  assertion  that  the  French  and  Rus- 
sian prisoners  of  war  were  employed  on  mili- 
tary operations  was  justified  on  the  ground  that 
in  France  the  German  prisoners  were  so  em- 
ployed. 

Article  6 

"B.  Prisoners  may  be  authorized  to  work  for 
the  public  service  for  private  persons,  or  on  their 
own  account." 


240    THE  PRISONER  OF.  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

1 '  Work  done  for  the  State  shall  be  paid  for  ac- 
cording to  the  tariffs  in  force  for  soldiers  of  the 
national  army  employed  on  similar  tasks." 

Under  the  chapter  on  working  camps  it  will  be 
observed  that  this  section  was  not  only  strictly 
adhered  to,  but  that  a  compensation  for  work  of 
the  British  prisoners  of  war  was  in  excess  of  that 
$aid  to  the  German  soldier,  but  less  than  that  paid 
to  the  German  workman.  It  is,  however,  specifi- 
cally stated  here  that  the  compensation  shall  be 
according  to  the  tariff  in  force  for  soldiers  of  the 
German  army  so  employed.  The  prisoners  were 
never  permitted  to  work  on  their  own  account. 

Article  6 

"C.  When  the  work  is  for  other  branches  of  the 
public  service  or  for  private  persons,  the  condi- 
tions shall  be  settled  in  agreement  with  the  mili- 
tary authorities. 

"The  wages  of  the  prisoners  shall  go  towards 
the  improving  of  their  position,  and  the  balance 
shall  be  paid  them  at  the  time  of  their  release, 
after  deducting  the  cost  of  their  maintenance. ' ' 

As  far  as  the  war  has  gone  this  section  has  been 
lived  up  to.  Whether  the  balance  reserved  under 
this  clause  will  be  paid  at  the  time  of  their  release 
remains  to  be  seen. 

Article  7 

"The  Government  into  whose  hands  the  pris- 
oner of  war  has  fallen  is  bound  to  maintain  them. 


INTERNATIONAL  LAW  241 

' '  Failing  a  special  agreement  between  the  bellig- 
erents, prisoners  of  war  shall  be  treated  as  re- 
gards food,  quarters,  and  clothing,  on  the  same 
footing  as  the  troops  of  the  Government  which  has 
captured  them." 

As  regards  quarters,  it  may  be  stated  that  the 
quarters  in  general  were  somewhat  similar  to 
those  provided  for  the  guard.  This,  however,  was 
not  true  either  of  food  or  clothing.  It  may  be 
stated  that  during  the  first  year  of  the  war  and  to 
a  certain  extent  still,  the  provisions  of  this  article 
have  not  been  lived  up  to. 

Aeticle  8 

"A.  Prisoners  of  war  shall  be  subject  to  the 
laws,  regulations  and  orders  in  force  in  the  army 
of  the  State  into  whose  hands  they  have  fallen. 

"B.  Any  act  of  insubordination  warrants  the 
adoption,  as  regards  them,  of  such  measures  of 
severity  as  may  be  necessary.  Escaped  prison- 
ers, recaptured  before  they  have  succeeded  in  re- 
joining their  army,  or  before  quitting  the  territory 
occupied  by  the  army  that  captured  them,  are 
liable  to  disciplinary  punishment. 

"C.  Prisoners  who,  after  succeeding  in  escap- 
ing, are  again  taken  prisoners,  are  not  liable  to 
any  punishment  for  the  previous  flight." 

The  provisions  embodied  in  the  first  paragraph 
of  this  article  gave  entirely  too  much  latitude  to 
the  German  guard.  The  German  army  regula- 
tions are,  I  think,  exceptionally  severe  and  it  is  a 


242     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

mistake  to  treat  minor  acts  of  insubordination  in 
the  prisoner  as  on  the  same  level,  for  the  same 
offence,  on  the  part  of  the  men  in  the  German 
Army,  where  such  insubordination  would  evi- 
dently lead  to  military  inefficiency.  The  second 
paragraph  of  this  chapter  was  as  a  rule  respected, 
*both  as  to  word  and  spirit  and  while  the  punish- 
ment in  both  army  corps  varied  somewhat,  it  was 
never  exceptionally  severe  as  to  the  prisoner  of 
war.  The  punishment,  however,  was  exception- 
ally harsh  in  reference  to  the  civilian  interned  who 
attempted  escape.  Cases  involving  the  third  par- 
agraph were  never  presented  for  consideration. 

Article  9 

"  Every  prisoner  of  war,  if  questioned,  is  bound 
to  declare  his  true  name  and  rank,  and  if  he  dis- 
regards this  rule,  he  is  liable  to  a  curtailment  of 
the  advantages  accorded  to  the  prisoners  of  war  of 
his  class." 

This  needs  no  consideration. 

Article  10 

"Prisoners  of  war  may  be  set  at  liberty  on  pa- 
role if  the  laws  of  their  country  authorize  it,  and, 
in  such  a  case,  they  are  bound  on  their  personal 
honor,  scrupulously  to  fulfil,  both  as  regards  their 
own  Government  and  the  Government  by  whom 
they  were  made  prisoners,  the  engagements  they 
have  contracted. 

'In  such  cases,  their  own  Government  shall  not 


<< 


INTERNATIONAL  LAW,  243 

require  of  nor  accept  from  them  any  service  in- 
compatible with  the  parole  given. : 


ii 


Article  11 

"A  prisoner  of  war  cannot  be  forced  to  accept 
his  liberty  on  parole ;  similarly  the  hostile  Govern- 
ment is  not  obliged  to  assent  to  the  prisoner's  re- 
quest to  be  set  at  liberty  on  parole." 

Article  12 

"Any  prisoner  of  war,  who  is  liberated  on  pa- 
role and  recaptured  bearing  arms  against  the  Gov- 
ernment to  whom  he  had  pledged  his  honor,  or 
against  the  allies  of  that  Government,  forfeits  his 
right  to  be  treated  as  a  prisoner  of  war,  and  can 
be  brought  before  the  courts." 

Inasmuch  as  the  question  of  parole  related  only 
to  officers  and  then  only  for  short  periods  of  time, 
it  may  be  stated  in  a  general  way,  that  these  arti- 
cles have  not  been  found  applicable  to  the  prisoner 
of  war  problem  during  the  present  war. 

Article  13 

"Individuals  who  followed  an  army  without  di- 
rectly belonging  to  it  such  as  newspaper  corre- 
spondents and  reporters,  sutlers,  contractors,  who 
fall  into  the  enemy's  hands,  and  whom  the  latter 
think  fit  to  detain,  have  a  right  to  be  treated  as 
prisoners  of  war,  provided  they  can  produce  a  cer- 
tificate from  the  military  authorities  of  the  army 
they  were  accompanying/ 


>? 


244    THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

No  cases  coming  under  this  classification  were 
brought  to  the  Embassy  for  consideration. 

Article  14 

"A  bureau  for  information  relatively  to  prison- 
ers of  war  is  instituted,  on  the  commencement  of 
hostilities,  in  each  of  the  belligerent  States,  and 
when  necessary,  in  the  neutral  countries  on  whose 
territory  belligerents  have  been  received.  This 
bureau  is  intended  to  answer  all  inquiries  about 
prisoners  of  war,  and  is  furnished  by  the  various 
services  concerned  with  all  the  necessary  informa- 
tion to  enable  it  to  keep  an  individual  return  for 
each  prisoner  of  war.  It  is  kept  informed  of  in- 
ternments and  changes,  as  well  as  of  admissions 
into  hospitals  and  deaths." 

"While  according  to  the  specifications  of  this  arti- 
cle a  bureau  of  information  was  established  in  con- 
nection with  the  War  Ministry  in  Berlin  to  which 
lists  of  captured  prisoners  are  forwarded  and 
which  by  the  routine  established  these  lists  were 
in  time  sent  to  the  German  Foreign  Office  and  from 
thence  to  the  Embassy.  It  was  frequently  weeks 
before  these  lists  were  received.  In  some  cases  an 
attempt  was  evidently  made  to  conceal  a  prisoner 
of  war  and  when  the  presence  of  such  prisoners 
was  called  to  the  attention  of  the  Foreign  Office  a 
delayed  list  was  sent.  This  was  true  more  partic- 
ularly in  reference  to  prisoners  from  the  British 
Fleet  who  might  have  information  desirable  to  be 
concealed  and  prisoners  from  the  mercantile  ma- 


INTERNATIONAL  LAW  245 

rine  taken  after  sea  raids  or  prisoners  such  as  the 
women  stewardesses  of  the  Brussels  who  were 
held  pending  the  decision  of  the  case  of  Captain 
Fryat.  A  perusal  of  the  diplomatic  correspond- 
ence published  in  the  White  Papers  will  show 
that  the  British  Government  contended  and  proved 
that  the  German  Government  did  not  live  up  to  the 
word  or  spirit  of  this  article.  The  German  Gov- 
ernment contended  that  the  Red  Cross  bureau  was 
official  and  part  of  their  army  service.  This  prin- 
ciple if  admitted  gave  an  opportunity  for  con- 
cealing information  and  shifting  responsibility, 
etc. 

The  various  bureaus  of  the  various  Eed  Cross 
had  their  own  prisoner  of  war  information  bu- 
reau, and  this  often  proved  to  be  the  quickest 
source  of  information.  The  admissions  of  prison- 
ers of  war  into  camp  hospitals,  even  when  seri- 
ously ill  were  not  reported  and  while  deaths  were 
reported,  deaths  from  violence  or  prisoners  killed 
by  the  guard  were  never  reported  as  such  to  the 
Embassy  and  not  reported  as  such  to  the  family 
of  the  individual. 

Article  15 

"  Relief  societies  for  prisoners  of  war,  which  are 
regularly  constituted  in  accordance  with  the  law 
of  the  country  with  the  object  of  serving  as  the 
intermediary  for  charity,  shall  receive  from  the 
belligerents  for  themselves  and  their  duly  accred- 
ited agents  everj;  facility,  within  the  bounds  of 


246    THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

military  requirements  and  administrative  regula- 
tions, for  the  effective  accomplishment  of  their 
humane  task.  Delegates  of  these  societies  may  be 
admitted  to  the  places  of  internment  for  the  dis- 
tribution of  relief,  as  also  to  the  halting  places  of 
repatriated  prisoners,  if  furnished  with  a  personal 
permit  by  the  military  authorities,  and  on  giving 
an  engagement  in  writing  to  comply  with  all  their 
regulations  for  order  and  police." 

The  International  Y.  M.  C.  A.  was  given  per- 
mission to  visit  the  parent  camps  and  while  some 
difficulties  arose  from  time  to  time,  it  may  be  said 
as  far  as  this  Society  was  concerned,  in  reference 
to  camps,  the  letter  of  this  regulation  was  ob- 
served, even  if  the  spirit  of  it  was  at  times  vio- 
lated. 

The  wording  of  this  article  is  somewhat  vague. 
While  it  is  not  specifically  stated  it  is  evidently 
intended  to  apply  to  relief  societies  organized 
in  neutral  countries.  Neither  delegations  nor 
representatives  of  the  many  French  and  Brit- 
ish Societies  were  permitted  to  visit  these  camps 
and  under  the  conditions  this  was  hardly  to  be 
expected. 

Aeticle  16 

"The  information  bureau  shall  have  the  privi- 
lege of  free  postage.  Letters,  money  orders,  and 
valuables,  as  well  as  postal  parcels  destined  for 
the  prisoners  of  war  or  dispatched  by  them,  shall 
be  free  from  all  postal  duties  both  in  the  countries 


INTERNATIONAL  LA"W]  247 

of  origin  and  destination,  as  well  as  in  those  they 
pass  through. 

"Gifts  and  relief  in  kind  for  prisoners  of  war 
shall  be  admitted  free  from  all  duties  of  entry 
and  others,  as  well  as  of  payments  for  carriage  by 
the  Government  railways." 

The  first  paragraph  of  this  section  was  re- 
spected in  both  letter  and  spirit ;  in  regard  to  the 
second  paragraph  complaint  was  occasionally 
made  of  charges  both  of  gifts  and  packages. 
Prayer  books  sent  to  Limburg  were  charged  for 
postage,  etc.  This  was,  however,  the  exception, 
and  not  the  rule. 

Article  17 

"Officers  taken  prisoner  may  receive,  if  neces- 
sary, the  full  pay  allowed  them  in  this  position  by 
their  country's  regulations,  the  amount  to  be  re- 
paid by  their  Government. ' ' 

This  gave  rise  to  much  contention  the  first  year 
of  the  war.  The  German  Government  at  first  re- 
fused to  abide  by  the  provisions  of  this  article, 
but  after  a  threat  of  reprisal  eventually  consented 
to  it. 

An  arrangement  was  later  made  whereby  the 
British  prisoners  could  draw  through  Holland  for 
their  full  pay. 

Article  18 

"Prisoners  of  war  shall  enjoy  every  latitude  in 
the  exercise  of  their  religion,  including  attend- 


248    THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

ance  at  their  own  church  services,  provided  only 
they  comply  with  the  regulations  for  order  and 
police  issued  by  the  military  authorities." 
4  It  may  be  stated  that  in  a  general  way  an  at- 
tempt was  made  to  observe  this  provision.  In 
working  camps,  however,  provisions  for  the  at- 
tendance of  the  prisoners  of  war  at  religious  serv- 
ices were  often  either  neglected  or  lack  of  provi- 
sion made,  which  amounted  to  prohibition. 

Article  19 

"The  wills  of  prisoners  of  war  are  received  or 
drawn  up  on  the  same  conditions  as  for  soldiers 
of  the  national  army. 

"The  same  rules  shall  be  observed  regarding 
death  certificates  as  well  as  for  the  burial  of  pris- 
oners of  war ;  due  regard  being  paid  to  their  grade 
and  rank." 

No  complaint  can  be  made  in  reference  to  the 
observances  of  this  article. 

Notwithstanding  the  exceptions  noted  under 
each  of  the  above  headings  it  will  be  seen  that  the 
general  underlying  principle  established  for  the 
prisoner  of  war  was  based  upon  the  rules  laid 
down  in  this  Convention.  When  conditions  arose 
not  covered  by  this  Convention  they  received  con- 
sideration either  by  voluntary  agreement  between 
the  belligerent  Powers  affected  to  the  Central 
Government  representing  them  or  by  reprisal  car- 
ried out  by  one  or  other  groups  of  prisoners  of 
war  as  the  case  might  be. 


INTERNATIONAL  LAW  249 

The  Geneva  Convention  of  1906  for  the  amelio- 
ration of  the  condition  of  the  wounded  in  armies 
in  the  field — 

Chapter  I.    Article  4 

"As  soon  as  possible  each  belligerent  shall  for- 
ward to  the  authorities  of  their  country  or  army 
the  marks  or  military  papers  of  identification 
found  upon  the  bodies  of  the  dead,  together  with 
a  list  of  names  of  the  sick  and  wounded  taken  in 
charge  by  him. 

"  Belligerents  will  keep  each  other  mutually  ad- 
vised of  internments  and  transfers,  together  with 
admissions  to  hospitals  and  deaths  which  occur 
among  the  sick  and  wounded  in  their  hands. 
They  will  collect  all  objects  of  personal  use,  val- 
uables, letters,  etc.,  which  are  found  upon  the  field 
of  battle,  or  have  been  left  by  the  sick  or  wounded 
who  have  died  in  sanitary  formations  or  other  es- 
tablishments, for  transmission  to  persons  in  inter- 
est through  the  authorities  of  their  own  country.' ' 

This  has  already  been  considered.  In  reference 
to  the  hospitals  attached  to  the  prison  camps,  re- 
ports were  not  so  made,  even  when  prisoners  were 
seriously  ill.  Deaths  were  reported  as  were  ad- 
missions of  wounded  prisoners  to  the  regular  mili- 
tary hospitals. 

Chapter  III.     Article  9 

"The  personnel  charged  exclusively  with  the  re- 
moval, transportation,  and  treatment  of  the  sick 


250    THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

and  wounded,  as  well  as  with  the  administration 
of  sanitary  formations  and  establishments,  and 
the  chaplains  attached  to  armies,  shall  be  re- 
spected and  protected  under  all  circumstances. 
If  they  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy  they  shall 
not  be  considered  as  prisoners  of  war. 

''These  provisions  apply  to  the  guards  of  sani- 
tary formations  and  establishments  in  the  case 
provided  for  in  section  2  of  Article  8." 

In  many  camps  members  of  the  Eoyal  Army 
Medical  Corps  were  held  and  treated  as  prisoners 
of  war.  Mention  has  already  been  made,  under 
the  chapter  on  Wittenberg,  of  a  violation  of  this 
article.  In  reference  to  Red  Cross  orderlies, 
stretcher  bearers,  etc.,  the  practice  in  the  last  year 
has  been  to  return  them  to  their  own  countries. 
Notwithstanding  this,  complaints  were  occa- 
sionally made  by  men,  prisoners  of  war,  who 
claimed  they  were  attached  to  sanitary  formations. 

Chapter  III.     Article  12 

"Persons  described  in  Articles  9,  10  and  11, 
will  continue  in  the  exercise  of  their  functions,  un- 
der the  direction  of  the  enemy,  after  they  have 
fallen  into  his  power. 

"When  their  assistance  is  no  longer  indispens- 
able they  will  be  sent  back  to  their  army  or  coun- 
try, within  such  period  and  by  such  route  as  may 
accord  with  military  necessity.  They  will  carry 
with  them  such  effects,  instruments,  arms  and 
horses  as  are  their  private  property. ' ' 


INTERNATIONAL  LAW  251 

It  might  be  assumed  that  this  article  covers  and 
excuses  the  violation  of  Article  9  discussed  in  the 
paragraph  above.  While  Eussian  and  French 
physicians  were  found  in  the  Prison  Camp  Hos- 
pitals, the  British  were  practically  never  found 
there  except  during  the  typhus  epidemic.  They 
were  held  and  treated  as  prisoners  in  camps  for 
officers,  prisoners  of  war. 


CHAPTER  XV 

THE   INTERNMENT   OF   PRISONERS   OF   WAR  IN 
SWITZERLAND 

GENEVA  Convention  of  1906,  Chapter  I,  Ar- 
ticle 2: 

' '  Subject  to  the  care  that  must  be  taken  of  them 
under  the  preceding  article,  the  sick  and  wounded 
of  an  army  who  fall  into  the  power  of  the  other 
belligerent  become  prisoners  of  war,  and  the  gen- 
eral rules  of  international  law  in  respect  to  pris- 
oners of  war  become  applicable  to  them. 

"The  belligerents  remain  free,  however,  to  mu- 
tually agree  upon  such  clauses,  by  way  of  excep- 
tion or  favor,  in  relation  to  the  wounded  or  sick 
as  they  may  deem  proper.  They  shall  especially 
have  authority  to  agree — 

"1.  To  mutually  return  the  sick  and  wounded 
left  on  the  field  of  battle  after  an  engagement. 

"2.  To  send  back  to  their  own  country  the  sick 
and  wounded  who  have  recovered,  or  who  are  in  a 
condition  to  be  transported  and  whom  they  do  not 
desire  to  retain  as  prisoners. 

"3.  To  send  the  sick  and  wounded  of  the  enemy 
to  a  neutral  State,  with  the  consent  of  the  latter 
and  on  condition  that  it  shall  charge  itself  with 
their  internment  until  the  close  of  hostilities." 

252 


PRISONERS  OF  WAR  IN  SWITZERLAND     253 

After  prolonged  negotiations  an  arrangement 
was  eventually  effected  covering  the  conditions  of 
exchange  of  wounded  and  ill  prisoners  of  war  ac- 
cording to  paragraph  3,  above  stated.  Local 
boards  were  convened  in  the  different  army  corps 
and  the  British  chosen  for  exchange  were  assem- 
bled at  Aix  la  Chapelle  and  passed  on  by  a  board 
consisting  of  several  medical  staff  officers  and  an 
officer  representing  the  line. 

The  medical  conditions  upon  which  exchange 
was  based  were  as  follows : 

(a)  All  severely  wounded  and  sick  who  be- 
cause of  their  injuries  or  the  disease  with  which 
they  were  suffering  will  not  be  able  to  resume 
active  service  and  in  case  of  officers  and  noncom- 
missioned officers,  who  were  not  able  to  perform 
office  work  or  instruction  of  recruits  were  to  be 
considered  candidates  for  exchange. 

(b)  The  injuries  or  illnesses  which  would  war- 
rant exchange  were  the  following : 

1.  The  entire  or  partial  loss  of  one  or  more 
extremities  (the  least  being  a  hand  or  foot). 

2.  Impaired  usefulness  of  one  or  more  ex- 
tremities, because  of  stiffness,  atrophy  or  short- 
ening of  muscles,  false  joints;  disease  of  spine, 
which  resulted  in  a  marked  disturbance  in  motility 
or  more  advanced  cases  where  there  was  an  asso- 
ciated aneurism.  In  the  above  two  paragraphs 
the  loss  or  paralysis  of  an  extremity  in  commis- 
sioned and  noncommissioned  officers  would  not  be 


254    THE  PEISONER  OF  [WAR  IN  GERMANY 

considered  unless  an  associated  illness  made  them 
unfit  for  office  work  or  instruction  of  recruits. 

3.  Permanent  paralysis,  or  that  which  because 
of  its  position  or  extension  was  of  a  severe  degree. 

4.  Injury  to  the  brain  with  severe  sequelae 
(Hemiplegia  or  the  disturbance  of  important 
brain  functions). 

5.  Injury  of  the  spinal  cord  with  severe  sequelae. 

6.  Loss  of  sight  in  both  eyes  (blindness).  The 
loss  of  sight  in  one  eye  was  to  be  considered,  if 
there  was  a  marked  diminution  of  vision  in  the 
remaining  eye. 

7.  Severe  disfigurement  of  the  face  and  severe 
injury  of  the  oral  cavity. 

8.  Protracted  illness  following  wounds. 

9.  Wounds  of  the  chest. 

10.  Abdominal  and  pelvic  wounds.  (In  9  and 
10  only  when  followed  by  sequelae.) 

11.  Advanced  Pulmonary  Tuberculosis. 

12.  Chronic  illness  as  a  result  of  internal  dis- 
ease. 

13.  Incurable  mental  diseases. 

A  repatriation  of  only  a  small  number  of  men 
and  officers  was  effected  upon  the  basis  of  this 
agreement.  These  were  so  badly  wounded  that 
there  was  not  the  slightest  possibility  of  any  of 
them  ever  being  of  any  possible  use  from  a  mili- 
tary or  an  auxiliary  standpoint.  Notwithstand- 
ing sections  11  and  13  of  this  agreement,  large 
numbers  of  prisoners  suffering  from  tuberculosis 


PRISONERS  OF  WAR  IN  SWITZERLAND     255 

even  in  the  advanced  stages  (vide  infra-mortality 
statistics),  and  mental  diseases  were  refused  re- 
patriation on  the  bare  possibility  that  they  might 
recover  and  be  of  some  slight  military  value. 

There  was  no  prospect  with  food  conditions  as 
they  were,  with  the  fat  supply  at  the  lowest  level 
of  any  of  the  food  products  and  no  prospect  of 
hope  of  improvement  in  reference  to  it,  that  pa- 
tients suffering  with  tuberculosis  could  or  would 
receive  the  over-feeding  diet  necessary  to  make 
any  improvement  in  their  condition.  The  condi- 
tions in  the  camps  were  likewise  unfavorable. 
The  tuberculous  patients  when  sufficiently  ad- 
vanced to  be  easily  recognized  were  grouped  in 
one  of  the  barracks  of  the  camp  hospital.  In  one 
of  the  camps  (Wahn)  they  were  housed  in  a  pavil- 
lion  outside  of  the  camp.  While  there  was  some 
talk  of  an  institution  for  the  special  care  of  tuber- 
culous prisoners  and  a  site  selected,  this  had  not 
materialized  up  to  September,  1916.  The  nervous 
tension,  depression  and  uncertainty  as  to  the  fu- 
ture acted  in  a  deleterious  way  on  these  patients. 
They  uniformly  went  from  bad  to  worse,  from  in- 
cipient early  curable  cases  to  hopeless  advanced 
cases,  dying  in  confinement. 

According  to  the  statistics  issued  by  the  Ger- 
man Government,  August  1st,  1916,  29,297  deaths 
had  occurred  amongst  the  prisoners  of  war;  of 
these  6,032  died  from  tuberculosis,  4,201  from  ty- 
phus fever,  6,270  from  wounds,  and  6,603  from 
other  causes  (illness,  accident  (?),  suicide,  etc.). 


256     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

It  is  quite  conceivable  that  at  home  the  early  cases 
of  tuberculosis  at  least  might  be  cured.  It  was 
quite  certain  on  the  other  hand  that  if  they  were 
not  returned  home  they  would  not  get  well  and 
would  probably  die.  Even  if  they  did  get  better, 
even  well,  they  could  not  be  used  again  for  mili- 
tary purposes.  Assuming,  however,  that  a  small 
number  might  be  so  used,  the  condemning  to  death 
of  these  6,000  men  by  slow  stages  away  from  their 
families,  reeks  of  the  barbarity  of  the  Middle 
Ages. 

I  have  heard  men  suffering  with  tuberculosis 
beg  for  fat  as  a  drug  habitue  would  beg  for  mor- 
phine. I  have  heard  consumptives  demand  that 
if  they  could  not  be  better  treated  and  better  fed 
that  it  was  the  duty  of  the  German  Government 
to  send  them  home.  This  action  in  relation  to  the 
consumptives  cannot  be  excused  in  a  nation  who 
stood  first  in  the  crusade  against  tuberculosis,  the 
pioneer  in  fact,  and  so  proud  of  their  position  and 
knowledge  that  long  before  the  war,  with  Prus- 
sian arrogance  they  would  not  concede  to  the 
scientists  of  other  nations  the  right  to  question 
their  opinion  or  judgment.  (Controversy  over 
the  intercommunicability  of  bovine  and  human  tu- 
berculosis, continuing  up  to  the  international  con- 
gress of  tuberculosis  in  Washington,  1907.) 
They  certainly  knew  the  underlying  principles  of 
the  nature  of  the  disease,  its  course  and  eventual 
termination  in  this  group  of  cases.  They  knew 
what  they  were  doing  and  deliberately  went  ahead 


PRISONERS  OF  WAR  IN  SWITZERLAND     257 

because  it  was  a  military  matter  and  a  paltry  few 
soldiers  might  get  back  to  duty. 

The  report  from  Switzerland  published  wide- 
spread in  the  daily  prints  in  the  fall  of  1916  that 
tuberculosis  was  deliberately  inoculated  into  pris- 
oners returned  to  France  through  Switzerland,  I 
do  not  believe.  I  had  every  opportunity  for  ob- 
serving any  such  performance  and  saw  no  evi- 
dence in  support  of  it.  After  all,  it  had  no  mili- 
tary bearing  or  value  and  such  action  would, 
therefore,  be  inconsistent  with  the  German  mili- 
tary mind. 

That  they  did  leave  hundreds  of  Irish  prisoners 
in  Limburg,  in  overcrowded  barracks,  cheek  by 
jowl  with  early  and  middle  stage  cases  of  tuber- 
culosis, I  do  believe,  because  I  saw  it  myself  and 
protested,  not  only  to  the  commandant,  but  to  the 
Army  Corps  officers  and  to  the  foreign  office  in 
Berlin.  I  even  went  so  far  as  to  point  out  that 
where  so  much  lung  disease  existed  they  should 
have  every  man  in  this  camp  examined  by  an  ex- 
pert in  order  to  weed  out  the  active  cases  of  lung 
disease,  separate  them  from  the  healthy  men  in 
the  overcrowded,  poorly-ventilated  barracks  and 
to  take  measures  to  save  the  early  cases.  I  had 
the  temerity  to  suggest  the  names  of  experts  com- 
petent to  do  this  work  and  this  advisedly  because 
in  the  hospital  and  in  the  barrack  infirmaries  they 
refused  to  acknowledge  as  tuberculous  men  who 
were  having  hemorrhages,  chronic  cough,  loss  of 
weight  and  fever  and  were  diagnosed  on  the  bed, 


258    THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY, 

charts  as  gastritis,  chronic  bronchitis,  chronic 
pleurisy,  etc.,  and  yet  nothing  was  done.  They 
were  prisoners,  had  refused  the  offer  of  a  friendly 
hand,  the  military  necessity,  the  safety  of  the  Em- 
pire and  the  infallibility  in  diagnosis  of  the  Ger- 
man Army  doctor  demanded  that  nothing  should 
be  done. 

What  has  been  said  of  tuberculosis  was  equally 
true  of  mental  disease.  It  is  self-evident  and  a 
rule  driven  home  by  experience,  that  a  man  who 
has  had  a  mental  break-down,  whether  he  be  officer 
or  private,  can  never  be  trusted  again  in  the  Army 
where  clear  thinking  and  mental  responsibility 
are  essential  qualifications.  Notwithstanding 
this,  men  who  had  gone  insane  at  prison  camps 
were  refused  repatriation  because,  forsooth,  they 
might  recover  their  reason  at  home.  It  was  evi- 
dent that  they  would  not  get  well  under  the  mental 
stress  and  worry  of  prison  confinement.  A 
specific  case  in  point  is  that  of  Captain  C ,  con- 
fined in  a  sanatorium  near  Magdeburg,  suffering 
from  delusional  insanity.  The  case  was  investi- 
gated by  Dr.  Ohnesorg  and  myself.  The  expert 
on  insanity  in  charge  of  the  institution  admitted 

that  Captain  C could  not  possibly  get  well  in 

Germany  under  confinement,  but  refused  to  recom- 
mend repatriation  because  he  stated  he  would 
have  good  chances  for  the  recovery  of  his  reason 
at  home.    All  of  which  was  quite  true. 

After  much  diplomatic  discussion  and  pro- 
longed delay  an  agreement  was  reached  at  first 


PRISONERS  OF  WAR  IN  SWITZERLAND     259 

between  France  and  Germany  and  later  between 
German  and  Great  Britain  whereby  a  prisoner 
suffering  from  certain  specified  diseases  and  who 
would  not  be  included  in  the  exchange  lists  noted 
above,  might  be  interned  in  Switzerland  for  the 
remainder  of  the  war  at  the  expense  of  the  parent 
country  of  the  nationals  interned.  (For  the  list 
of  diseases,  regulations  governing  the  internment 
and  the  interned,  see  Appendix.) 

A  commission  of  Swiss  physicians  were  to  visit 
the  various  camps ;  a  German  physician  had  a  seat 
on  this  commission.  All  the  prisoners  of  war 
were  to  be  notified  in  advance  of  the  visit  of  the 
commission  and  were  to  have  the  right  to  apply 
for  examination  if  they  considered  themselves 
eligible  for  internment. 

In  addition  to  this  a  list  of  sick  prisoners  from 
hospitals  and  camps  were  to  be  referred  by  the 
German  military  surgeon.  The  commission  be- 
gan its  labors  with  the  British  in  the  early  summer 
of  1916.  The  commission  refused,  however,  to  ac- 
cept mental  cases  and  would  only  accept  tubercu- 
lous cases  in  the  very  early  stages.  The  advanced 
cases  of  tuberculosis,  at  first  full  of  hope,  were  de- 
pressed and  disappointed  at  this  signal  of  their 
doom.  While  a  large  number  of  cases  were  in- 
terned from  Limburg,  a  still  large  number  of 
cases  remained.  The  cases  who  should  have  been 
interned  were  men  in  the  barracks,  many  of  whom 
did  not  even  suspect  they  had  the  disease. 

Many  difficulties  developed  in  the  carrying  out 


260     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

of  the  work  of  the  commission.  Some  of  these 
were  incidental  to  the  scope  of  the  work,  its  size 
and  the  fact  that  such  a  large  percentage  of  pris- 
oners were  in  the  working  camps.  It  was  as- 
sumed that  the  latter  were  in  good  health.  Some 
of  the  difficulties  placed  in  the  way  of  easy  access 
to  the  commission  were  due  to  a  lack  of  full  co- 
operation by  some  of  the  commandants  of  the 
camps.  Sometimes  previous  notice  of  the  visit  of 
the  commission  was  not  made  in  the  camps  and 
only  cases  referred  by  the  camp  physicians  were 
examined.  The  British  prisoners  at  Kreis  Celle 
complained  that  those  of  them  selected  by  the 
camp  surgeon  for  examination  by  the  commission 
were  sent  to  another  parent  camp  where  the  com- 
mission was  sitting ;  that  there  they  were  assigned 
to  hard  work.  Upon  their  refusal  to  work  upon 
the  grounds  that  they  were  ill,  the  noncommis- 
sioned officer  told  them  unless  they  did  the 
work  assigned  to  them  they  would  not  be  per- 
mitted to  appear  before  the  commission.  On  the 
whole,  barring  a  few  exceptions  such  as  those  just 
mentioned,  the  work  of  the  commission  was  sup- 
ported by  the  camp  commandants  and  the  military 
surgeons. 

A  commission  of  review  sat  at  the  border  and 
re-examined  those  passing  into  Switzerland.  Oc- 
casionally cases  passed  by  the  commission  were  re- 
turned to  the  camps  as  ineligible  for  internment. 
Such  cases  were  pathetic  in  their  disappointment. 
A  similar  case  to  these  was  that  of  a  young  Brit- 


PRISONERS  OF  WAR  IN  SWITZERLAND     261 

ish  officer  at  Magdeburg  who  made  an  unsuccess- 
ful attempt  to  escape,  was  tried  and  sentenced  to 
one  year  of  imprisonment  in  a  military  jail. 
Shortly  after  beginning  serving  this  sentence,  he 
was  sent  by  the  prison  doctor,  on  account  of  a  com- 
pound fracture  of  the  leg  (and  without  any  re- 
quest of  his  own)  before  the  Swiss  commission. 
He  was  passed  upon  favorably  for  internment  at 
Switzerland,  but  the  Army  Corps  commander  then 
ruled  that  he  would  have  to  serve  the  remaining 
ten  months  of  his  sentence  in  jail  before  the  in- 
ternment in  Switzerland  could  be  carried  out. 

The  British  passed  by  the  Commission  were  as- 
signed by  the  Swiss  Government  to  the  village  of 
Chateau  D'Oux,  a  summer  resort  with  a  large 
number  of  hotels,  boarding  houses,  cottages,  etc. 
I  found  this  village  located  in  one  of  the  most 
beautiful  valleys  in  Switzerland  without  even  the 
suggestion  of  a  guard.  This  was  true  not  only  of 
the  village  but  of  the  entire  valley  in  which  it  was 
located.  The  enlisted  men  lived  in  the  smaller 
hotels  one  or  at  the  most  two,  in  a  room — quar- 
ters equal  to,  if  not  better  than  that  assigned  to 
officers  in  the  officers'  prison  camps  in  Germany. 
They  were  treated  both  as  to  food  and  quarters 
on  the  same  plane  as  the  usual  summer  tourist. 
Officers  occupied  cottages  and  might  have  their 
families  with  them,  a  privilege  which  many  of 
them  availed  themselves  of.  The  whole  atmos- 
phere of  freedom  and  contentment  was  in  sharp 
contrast  to  the  ever-present  bayonet,  the  soup,  and 


262    THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

the  swaggering,  pompous  officer  of  the  German 
prison  camp.  There  was  no  necessity  for  a 
guard,  the  contracting  governments  agreeing  to 
return  to  Switzerland  any  of  their  prisoners  in- 
terned who  might  escape. 


CHAPTER!  XVI 

CONCLUSIONS 

WIDESPREAD  contact  with  the  best  ele- 
ments of  the  German  people,  the  middle, 
the  working  and  the  farmer  class,  gave  the  im- 
pression that  they  wanted  the  prisoner  of  war  to 
be  cared  for  properly  and  that  they  believed  this 
was  being  done.  The  passion  and  race  hatred 
that  led  at  times  to  irresponsible,  brutal  and  cruel 
actions  to  the  British  prisoner  of  war  in  the  early 
days  of  the  war  had  given  way  after  two  years  of 
contact  to  a  sane  attitude,  so  much  so  that  the  offi- 
cers could  go  on  their  walks  freely  in  Germany, 
and  the  prisoners  of  war  to  their  work  or  on  the 
farms  with  little  or  no  cause  for  complaint.  The 
exceptions  to  this  in  the  mines  and  in  the  work- 
shops at  times  have  already  been  noted.  On  ac- 
count of  the  strict  censorship  of  the  press,  and 
their  inability  to  understand  the  technical  side  of 
many  questions,  they  did  not  realize,  did  not  know 
of  the  attitude  of  the  neutral  world  towards  the 
handling  of  the  prisoner  of  war  problem. 

They  expected  their  government,  I  think,  to  act 
decently,  and  I  think  the  central  civil  government 
tried  to  meet  the  problem  fairly,  and  as  far  as  it 

263 


264     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

was  able  did  meet  it  in  a  general  way  in  a  fair  and 
satisfactory  manner.  The  administration  of  the 
problem  was,  however,  in  the  hands  of  the  Army, 
and  the  Army  Corps  Commanders  felt  themselves 
more  powerful  than  the  Central  Government.  On 
general  subjects  such  as  the  industrial  problem, 
working  camps,  etc.,  and  in  all  military  matters 
they  acted  independently.  In  technical  matters 
they  were  advised  by  their  own  staff  experts.  I 
have  already  stated  in  connection  with  the  deser- 
tion of  the  typhus  camps,  that  I  did  not  believe 
this  represented  the  spirit  or  ideals  of  the  German 
medical  profession.  The  professional  army  sur- 
geon of  Europe,  as  differentiated  from  the  civil 
surgeon  or  physician,  is  a  different  individual. 
The  army  surgeon  whether  he  likes  it  or  not,  is  a 
part  of  a  distinctive  military  machine.  Sooner 
or  later  he  realizes  that  he  is  an  essential  part  of 
the  machine;  comes  in  time  to  look  on  problems 
from  a  military  angle ;  is  concerned  more  with  the 
health  and  efficiency  of  his  men  than  with  the  re- 
constructive work  after  they  have  been  rendered 
unfit  in  the  service. 

During  the  first  year  of  the  war,  when  the  mili- 
tary surgeon  was  dominant  and  before  sheer  ne- 
cessity forced  thousands  of  civilian  doctors,  many 
of  exceptional  position  and  brain  power,  into  the 
ranks,  he  was  more  interested  in  keeping  his  line 
of  communication  open,  to  get  the  sick  and 
wounded  out  of  the  way  to  some  distant  point  than 
he  was  in  the  fortunes  of  the  individual  case.    He 


CONCLUSIONS  265 

was  proud  not  to  have  his  hospitals  full  with  op- 
portunities for  helping  the  wounded,  but  rather 
that  his  hospital  was  empty,  ready  for  any  emer- 
gency of  sudden  attack  or  defense.  He  was  think- 
ing more  as  a  soldier  than  as  a  doctor.  He  had 
grown  to  look  upon  the  wounded  as  incubus,  and 
to  assume  the  military  point  of  view  to  send  men 
and  munitions  and  supplies  and  food  to  the  front, 
and  if,  when  opportunity  and  means  offered,  to  get 
the  wounded  back  for  treatment.  Not  that  this 
point  of  view  did  not  have  its  own  value;  war 
means  men  and  guns,  not  doctors  and  wounded 
men  who  cannot  fight.  But  that  was  the  military 
point  of  view  as  contrasted  with  the  purely  hu- 
manitarianism  of  the  civilian  doctor. 

One  can  imagine  how  far  afield,  in  such  a  ma- 
chine as  the  German  Army,  such  an  idea  could  be 
carried.  It  was  just  such  a  point  of  view  that  led 
whoever  was  in  charge  to  order  or  consent  to  the 
order,  for  sending  the  wounded  prisoners  of  war 
to  the  camp  at  Minden.  The  German  profession, 
no  less  than  the  German  people  in  reference  to  the 
general  problem,  would  not  have  willingly  and 
knowingly  consented  to  such  a  perverted  view. 
They  were,  however,  without  knowledge  of  such 
occurrences,  and  would  have  been  powerless  had 
they  the  knowledge. 

The  Geheim-rath  professor  of  philosophy, 
chemistry  or  medicine  is  no  longer  the  power,  the 
ideal  of  the  German  people.  The  man  on  the 
horse  has  slowly,  surely,  during  the  past  twenty 


266     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

years,  forced  him  into  an  inconspicuous  and  rela- 
tively unimportant  position  in  German  life.  His 
position  was  made  dependent  on  political  consid- 
erations. Today  he  has  no  more  freedom  in  the 
expression  of  his  opinions  than  the  man  in  the 
street.  The  profession  as  a  whole,  more  limited 
than  its  leaders  in  power  and  the  ability  to  ex- 
press themselves,  were  forced  into  the  same  mold 
as  the  rest  of  the  German  people  by  the  military 
powers  exercised  through  the  censorship  of  the 
press.  The  noisy  clique  of  professors,  fraternity 
brothers  of  the  crown  prince  might  clamor  for  the 
reckless  use  of  the  submarine.  The  public  press 
was  open  to  them.  Let  the  sane,  able  men  of  the 
profession  attempt  a  protest  not  sanctioned  by  the 
military  and  not  only  the  press,  but  every  other 
means  of  protest,  was  closed  to  them.  If  they 
became  too  insistent,  well,  the  fate  of  Liebknecht 
was  a  lesson,  and  an  example  not  to  be  disregarded 
by  thinking  men. 

The  slow,  insistent,  inspired  articles,  day  by 
day,  in  the  German  press  had  their  poisonous 
effect  in  directing  thought  and  belief  as  to  the 
''perfidy  of  the  British"  and  the  crime  of  "Amer- 
ican ammunition  to  kill  German  soldiers"  of  the 
American,  on  the  professional  man  as  easily  as  on 
the  farmer  or  the  mechanic.  It  became  likewise 
a  matter  of  faith,  of  patriotism,  not  to  question 
the  action  of  the  army,  its  generals  in  the  field  or 
its  surgeons  at  the  army  corps  headquarters.    It 


CONCLUSIONS  267 

was  so  in  France,  during  the  Dreyfus  affair,  in 
England,  during  the  first  year  of  the  war  and  it 
may  be  so  with  us  unless  all  signs  fail. 

It  is  inconceivable  in  spite  of  the  patriotism  that 
blinds,  that  the  profession  in  this  country  so  vi- 
tally interested  in  right  action,  so  jealous  of  its 
own  honor,  would  stand  for  the  faults  herein  re- 
ported, were  they  to  be  committed,  either  as  acts 
of  omission  or  commission,  by  surgeons,  a  part  of 
the  profession  in  the  army  and  yet  in  thought  and 
action  a  group  apart. 

Early  in  the  war  the  French  profession  freed 
from  the  sanctity  of  the  army  by  the  Dreyfus 
purge,  demanded  reforms  in  the  Sanitary  service, 
and  so  dependent  was  the  army  on  the  civilian 
doctor,  so  interested  the  general  public  in  the 
proper  and  efficient  treatment  of  the  wounded,  that 
a  cabinet  crisis  was  precipitated  and  the  service 
promptly  reorganized.  Such  action  would  be  im- 
possible in  Germany.  There  would  be  no  action, 
or  possibility  of  creating  and  spreading  sentiment 
in  favor  of  it.  As  mentioned  above,  there  was  no 
such  sentiment.  The  army  was  a  perfect  machine 
with  no  faults  to  be  found  with  any  part  of  it. 
This  was  patriotism.  Any  dissent  from  it  was 
met  by  an  action  based  on  the  Burger-Frieden 
town  peace  principle.  This  idea  is  as  old  as  the 
German  people ;  it  is  in  substance  that  in  the  face 
of  the  enemy  there  should  be  no  expression  of  a 
difference  of  opinion,  no  open  quarrels,  political 


268     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

or  otherwise.  This  was  stretched  by  the  military 
to  the  point  of  the  prevention  of  expression  of 
any  opinions  not  favorable  to  them. 

There  is  no  question  that  the  German  people 
believe  and  believe  sincerely,  that  they  are  fighting 
a  defensive  war ;  fighting  for  the  actual  existence 
of  their  homes  and  the  Fatherland.  The  idea  of 
the  mission  of  the  race,  of  world  domination,  was 
essentially  of  the  military  and  the  upper  thinking 
classes.  The  masses  of  the  people  were  content 
with  the  prosperity,  that  industrial  prosperity 
which  a  benevolent  paternalism  gave  them. 
The  unity  of  ideation  with  patriotism  for  the  war 
was  created  and  cleverly  developed  and  main- 
tained through  a  censored  and  inspired  press. 
After  all  it  was  easily  created.  "Had  not  Eussia 
mobilized  first?"  and  after  the  first  rush  into 
France  and  the  failure  at  the  Marne  did  not  "the 
rush  of  Kussian  hordes  into  East  Prussia,  ad- 
vancing almost  to  the  gates  of  Berlin  with  fire 
and  rape  and  pillage,"  threaten  the  very  life  of  the 
nation,  and  was  there  not  always  in  the  back- 
ground the  sinister  shadow  of  England  with  its 
statesmen  and  literary  men,  "crying  for  the  de- 
struction not  only  of  the  government,  but  also  of 
the  race,"  and  Wilson,  the  ally  of  Asquith,  send- 
ing the  ammunition  for  the  hated  British,  ammuni- 
tion shown  to  them  and  sold  to  them  as  souvenirs, 
reminders  of  whom  they  were  to  hate;  and  the 
masses  of  people  after  reading  day  after  day  of 
such  things  in  their  papers,  did  not  think  that  such 


CONCLUSIONS  269 

might  be  true,  they  knew  it  and  believed  it  as  their 
gospel. 

When  any  one  high  or  low  dared  to  question  this 
wonderful  army  they  had  spent  so  much  time  and 
money  in  creating  and  which  had  grown  so  fat 
and  prosperous  in  peace  time  that  it  threatened 
to  ''bite  the  hand  that  fed  it";  this  army  which 
had  saved  them  from  Kussia,  and  with  victory 
after  victory  was  punishing  the  invaders,  such  a 
one  was  threatened  with  or  punished  for  a  viola- 
tion of  the  Burger-Frieden. 

No  one,  I  take  it,  would  accuse  the  Germans  of 
a  fine  and  lively  imagination,  a  keen  sense  of  hu- 
mor, or  a  sense  of  what  was  ridiculous ;  qualities 
which  separate  them  as  a  race  from  the  Latin, 
the  Celt,  or  the  American ;  and  it  is  just  the  lack 
of  these  qualities  that  permits  their  blind  patriot- 
ism to  stand  for  the  Belgian  deportation,  Witten- 
berg and  the  plague  camps,  Minden  and  Limburg, 
and  the  Turkish  representations  at  Zossen. 

The  learned  professions  with  brains  techni- 
cally trained,  with  little  more  power  to  think  out- 
side of  their  own  special  grooves,  and  as  easily 
influenced  by  suggestion  as  the  tradesman  or  the 
trained  mechanic,  believe  as  implicitly  in  the  de- 
fensive nature  of  the  war  in  Belgium,  and  gas,  and 
that  the  zeppelin  raids  and  the  reckless  use  of  the 
submarines  are  justified  to  save  the  nation  and 
their  homes  and  their  families  from  a  nation  who 
would  deliberately  starve  them  to  death,  as  does 
the  cab-man  who  drives  you  to  the  station.    I  have 


270     THE  PRISONER  OF  WAR  IN  GERMANY 

faith  in  the  German  people  and  the  German  medi- 
cal profession.  They  have  reacted  to  an  abso- 
lutely controlled  press,  which  after  all  molds  opin- 
ion in  any  country,  in  the  same  way  as  would  the 
people  or  profession  in  any  other  country.  A 
mistaken  idea  of  patriotism  has  led  them  to  stand 
for  things,  which  with  full  information  after  the 
war,  they  may  he  sorry  for,  without  feeling  the 
necessity  of  a  public  admission  of  how  wrong  in 
principle  they  were. 

In  conclusion,  I  may  restate  that  in  a  treatise 
of  this  kind,  with  so  much  stated  in  the  line  of 
destructive  criticism  as  compared  with  the  space 
devoted  to  the  constructive  side,  a  false  impres- 
sion may  be  created.  I  would,  however,  refer  to 
my  statement  on  parent  camps,  that  the  majority 
of  the  camps  were  well  organized  and  the  comfort 
and  care  of  the  prisoner  properly  considered; 
with  the  single  exception  of  food  which  in  the 
British  prisoner  could  be  disregarded  because  he 
was  fed  from  home. 

The  one  major  lesson  we  can  draw  from  this  ex- 
perience is  that  in  the  event  that  we  are  called 
upon  to  meet  the  same  problem,  an  inspection  staff 
of  trained  sociologists  and  sanitarians  should  be 
organized  which  should  preferably  be  non-military 
and  therefore  free  from  the  necessity  of  covering 
up  military  mistakes,  but  which  should,  neverthe- 
less, report  to  the  Secretary  of  War.  The  Ger- 
man Army  had  its  own  inspection  service,  which 
was  inefficient  and  useless. 


APPENDIX  A 

(Translation) 

STATEMENT 

Concerning   the   Principles    Observed   in   the   Housing, 
Feeding   and   Clothing,  as   well  as  the  Postal 
Traffic  of  Officers  and  Men  Held  Pris- 
oners of  War  in  Germany. 

For  Officers 

Housing.  In  general,  the  place  of  internment  must  be  a 
healthy  place,  absolutely  unobjectionable  from  a  hygienic 
point  of  view  with  at  least  15  cbm.  breathing  space  per  man, 
which  can  be  aired,  admit  full  day  light  and  can  be  heated 
and  lighted  daily;  as  few  officers  as  possible  lodged  in  one 
room,  separate  rooms  for  older  officers.  Heat,  light  and 
equipment  is  furnished  by  the  respective  commanders,  and 
is  not  at  the  expense  of  the  interned.  The  following  equip- 
ment is  required  for  each  officer: 

Bedstead  with  mattress,  bolster,  bedlinen  and  two  blankets, 
chair  or  stool,  an  appliance  for  hanging  up  the  clothing  and 
a  place  for  storing  the  eatables  (where  possible,  closets,  cab- 
inets* or  chests  of  drawers),  washbowl,  water  glass,  towel, 
table  (a  place  at  the  table  for  each),  pail. 

For  attending  the  interned  officers,  men  of  the  same  nation- 
ality, also  prisoners  of  war,  are  to  be  quartered  in  the  officers' 
camp  (approximately  one  man  for  5  to  10  officers).  This 
staff  of  orderlies  has  to  attend  to  the  cleaning  of  the  clothes, 
living  rooms,  courtyards  and  halls,  to  the  heating  and  table 
service,  etc. 

Food  and  Clothing.  As  the  respective  officers  themselves 
have  to  pay  for  their  food  and  clothing  out  of  the  pay  ac- 

%71 


272  APPENDICES 

corded  to  them  by  the  hostile  country,  it  must  be  demanded 
that  they  receive  on  each  day  a  sufficient  and  nutritious  fare, 
the  menu  of  which  is  to  be  as  varied  as  possible,  and  this  at  a 
moderate  price  in  order  that  means  for  their  small  daily 
wants  such  as  laundry,  etc.,  still  remain  at  their  disposal. 

Shower  baths  are  given  free  of  charge. 

At  the  present  time,  the  moderate  partaking  of  beer  and 
light  table  wines  is  also  permitted  to  officers.  In  the  can- 
teens, the  officers  can  purchase  plain  food-stuffs,  excepting 
cigars,  tobacco  and  chocolate. 

They  may,  however,  let  these  eatables  and  table  luxuries 
without  exception  be  sent  them  in  parcels,  and  the  same  must 
not  be  witheld  from  them  for  their  use. 

Books  and  periodicals  are  permitted  under  censorship. 

Non-commissioned  Officers  and  Men. 

Housing.  General  requirements  the  same  as  with  officers, 
only  in  most  cases  larger  rooms  are  used,  in  which  a  greater 
number  of  prisoners  are  quartered.  The  minimum  breath- 
ing space  for  each  man  is  5  cbm.  Sleeping  accommodations 
consist  of  clothing  sacks  (paillasses)  which  are  filled  up  with 
straw  or  wood  shavings,  for  each  prisoner  two  woolen  blan- 
kets, towel,  eating  utensils. 

For  each  quarter  the  necessary  tables,  sitting  places,  linen 
and  drinking  cups,  appliances  for  the  hanging  up  of  clothing, 
wall  shelves  upon  which  to  place  eatables  and  small  articles; 
in  each  prison  camp  installation  for  bath  and  wash  house 
for  the  cleaning  of  the  laundry;  sufficient  lighting  of  the 
camps,  electric  light  if  possible. 

Food.  To  the  prisoners  of  war  sufficient  plain  food  shall 
be  given,  which  in  its  quantity  and  composition  is  adapted 
to  such  class  of  work,  as  may  be  required  of  the  prisoner 
of  war. 

Wherever  possible,  consideration  shall  be  paid  to  the  habits 

of  living. 

The  prisoners  of  war  receive  the  same  quantity  of  bread 
as  the  German  troops  lodged  in  civilian  quarters. 

Three  meals  a  day  are  served  out : 

In  the  morning,  coffee,  tea  or  soup. 

At  noon  a  plentiful  fare  consisting  of  meat  and  vegetables. 


APPENDICES  273 

The  meat  may  be  replaced  by  a  correspondingly  larger  por- 
tion of  fish. 

At  night,  a  substantial  and  plentiful  meal. 

Under  any  circumstances  the  daily  fare  must  be  sufficient 
for  the  proper  nourishment.  The  commanders  who  are  re- 
sponsible for  the  fulfillment  of  these  instructions,  conse- 
quently are  authorized  to  increase  the  amount  of  meat  or 
vegetables  according  to  requirements;  they  are  thereby  placed 
in  the  position  to  better  adapt  the  fare  to  the  habits  of  living 
of  the  various  nations. 

Continuous  and  careful  supervision  of  the  food  under  co- 
operation of  medical  officers  is  absolutely  necessary;  attention 
must  be  paid  also  to  the  fact  that  the  fare  does  not  become 
monotonous,  but  is  varied  as  much  as  possible. 

In  the  canteens  the  men  may  purchase  plain  foodstuffs, 
articles  for  the  care  of  the  body,  linenware,  etc.,  at  fixed  low 
prices. 

Concerning  the  contents  of  parcels  from  home,  the  same 
applies  as  stated  in  the  case  of  officers,  so  for  instance  the 
handing  out  of  tobacco  for  use. 

Clothing.  In  the  beginning,  non-commissioned  officers  and 
men  who  are  prisoners  of  war,  remain  in  the  uniform  which 
they  have  brought  with  them.  If  the  state  of  this  clothing 
needs  replacing  the  prisoners  will  at  first  be  provided  with 
proper  articles  of  clothing  from  the  booty  of  war.  When 
the  latter  is  used  up,  new  suitable  clothes  are  purchased.  The 
kind  of  clothing  is  dependent  upon  the  season,  the  climate 
and  the  weather.  The  clothing  generally  consists  of  a  suit, 
necktie  and  cap,  besides  shirts,  socks,  warm  underwear  and 
good  shoes  are  given  as  well  as  overcoats  and  woolen  blankets 
to  protect  against  the  cold. 

Male  civilian  prisoners  of  war  will  be  fitted  out  in  the  same 
way  as  military  prisoners  of  war  after  their  present  clothing 
can  no  longer  be  used. 

The  wornout  clothing  of  female  prisoners  is  replaced  by 
suitable  customary  garb. 

Postal   Traffic. 

According  to  new  regulations  now  uniformly  in  force 
throughout  Germnay,  the  prisoners  may  write  a  letter  twice 


274  APPENDICES 

monthly,  and  besides  postal  cards  once  weekly.  Officers  may 
write  letters  of  six  pages,  men  of  four  pages.  If  special 
circumstances  exist,  such  as  the  adjustment  of  family  matters 
and  urgent  affairs  of  a  business  nature,  exceptions  may  be 
allowed. 


APPENDIX  B 

EEGULATIONS  FOR  THE  OFFICER  PRISONER  OF 
WAR  CAMP  AT  BURG 

1.  All  sentries  have  orders  to  fire,  without  challenging,  on 
any  prisoner  who  attempts  to  escape.  The  space  between 
the  wire  fence  and  the  interior  fence  (Back  of  barracks  1,  2, 
3),  also  the  space  between  barracks  7  and  8  and  the  wooden 
fence  and  the  space  between  the  little  closet  at  the  East  and 
the  wooden  fence  are  forbidden.  Every  prisoner  who  tres- 
passes on  the  forbidden  spaces  is  presumed  to  be  trying  to 
escape.  The  same  is  presumed  if  anybody  leaves  his  room 
through  a  window  except  in  ease  of  fire  alarm. 

2.  Orders  given  by  the  guard  or  sentries  or  by  officers  or 
under-officers  in  charge  of  prisoners  must  be  obeyed  immedi- 
ately. Disobedience  or  failure  to  obey  orders  or  bodily  re- 
sistance, etc.,  are  punished  according  to  the  respective  Ger- 
man martial  laws. 

3.  The  commandant  must  always  be  saluted  in  military 
fashion.  Every  prisoner  of  war  must  when  speaking  to  the 
commandant  stand  at  attention.  The  same  refers  to  conver- 
sation on  duty  with  the  officer  in  charge  and  the  adjutant. 
All  officers  on  duty  in  the  camp  must  be  saluted  in  military 
fashion. 

4.  On  the  commandant,  the  officer  in  charge  or  the  adjutant 
entering  a  room,  all  present  officers  must  immediately  stand 
at  attention. 

5.  All  prisoners  of  war  must  always  wear  uniform.  No- 
body must  appear  in  the  courtyard  without  headdress.  When 
doing  gymnastics  or  when  playing  games  the  uniform-coat 
and  headdress  can  be  laid  aside. 

6.  At  least  twice  a  day  roll  call  will  be  held,  once  in  the 
morning  and  once  before  closing  the  barracks.  On  the  signal 
given  (two  strokes  on  the  bell  or  signal  by  trumpet)  the  offi- 

275 


276  APPENDICES 

cers  and  men  assemble  immediately  in  their  respective  rooms 
and  must  stand  by  their  beds  at  the  entry  of  whoever  is 
holding  the  roll  call,  so  that  it  may  be  ascertained  without 
difficulty  and  without  loss  of  time,  who  is  present  and  who  is 
missing.  No  officer  may  leave  his  room  until  roll  call  is  over. 
At  a  double  bell  stroke  followed  by  signal  on  the  trumpet 
the  officers  and  men  assemble  before  their  barracks,  arranged 
according  to  their  respective  rooms. 

7.  The  orderlies  must  perform  all  customary  duties  such-  as 
cleaning  clothes  and  boots  of  the  officers,  making  beds,  clean- 
ing rooms,  etc.  Thorough  cleanliness  and  order  in  the  rooms 
must  be  observed  already  as  a  measure  of  precaution  against 
illness.  The  junior  officer  in  each  common  room  is  respon- 
sible for  its  thorough  cleaning  by  the  orderlies. 

8.  It  is  forbidden  to  throw  eatables,  paper,  cigars  or  cigar- 
ettes or  their  remains  through  the  windows,  on  the  floors, 
in  the  spittoons  or  in  the  courtyard. 

9.  The  room  utensils  must  not  be  damaged.  After  use 
they  must  be  always  returned  to  their  places,  and  must  es- 
pecially not  be  taken  from  one  room  to  another.  Articles 
damaged  or  lost  must  be  replaced  by  the  one  who  is  respon- 
sible. If  the  responsible  person  cannot  be  traced  indemnifi- 
cation must  be  given  by  all  the  occupants  of  the  room.  The 
senior  officer  of  each  common  room  must  convince  himself 
on  the  first  of  each  month  that  all  utensils  are  present  in 
accordance  with  the  inventory.  A  notification  in  writing 
of  the  examination  must  be  presented  to  the  officer  in  charge 
by  the  third  of  each  month  in  accordance  with  his  instruc- 
tions. Should  any  articles  be  missing  this  must  be  clearly 
stated. 

10.  By  9  A.  M.  at  least,  all  officers  must  have  left  their 
beds,  have  washed  and  dressed.  From  9  to  10 :30  a.  m.  all 
rooms  must  be  aired  and  cleaned  and  all  beds  made  up.  The 
officer  in  charge  will  on  each  occasion  order  when  the  rooms 
shall  be  washed  out.  The  orderlies  have  to  obey  the  orders 
of  the  junior  officer  of  each  room  when  cleaning  the  rooms. 

11.  At  night  when  the  first  signal  is  given  by  the  guard  all 
officers  must  go  into  their  respective  rooms.  The  canteen 
must  be  left  by  8  o'clock  and  from  this  hour  the  canteen  is 
not  allowed  to  sell  any  more  goods  to  the  persons  in  the  din- 


APPENDICES  277 

ing  room  or  in  the  courtyard.  No  prisoner  of  war  is  allowed 
to  sit  down  in  the  kitchenroom.  Smoking  in  the  beds  is  pro- 
hibited. If  a  bed  is  disarranged  in  the  course  of  the  day 
it  must  be  made  up  again,  if  necessary,  by  the  owner  himself. 

12.  The  light  may  only  be  switched  on  in  the  rooms  when 
the  arc  lamps  are  lit  in  the  courtyard.  All  lights  must  be 
extinguished  by  the  second  signal  given  by  the  guard. 

13.  Officers  should  remember  to  use  the  Abort  before  the 
locking  of  the  doors.  Night  conveniences  are  provided  in 
each  barrack;  these  are  not  allowed  to  be  used  in  daytime. 

14.  Rubbish  or  broken  glass  (pot-shards)  etc.,  must  not  be 
thrown  into  the  Aborts  standing  in  the  yards  or  the  night 
conveniences.  The  Aborts  must  be  kept  clean;  the  same  is 
to  be  said  about  the  water-pails  and  fire  buckets  in  the  bar- 
racks.    They  especially  must  not  be  used  to  urinate  in. 

All  rubbish  must  be  thrown  into  the  dustbins  in  the  court 
yards,  but  tin  boxes  must  be  put  well  cleaned  in  a  specially 
appointed  place  only. 

15.  Prisoners  of  war  who  are  ill  must  report  to  the  under- 
officer  who  will  mention  the  matter  to  the  under-offieer  of 
the  A.  M.  C.  and  the  officer  in  charge,  who  will  arrange  all 
further  necessity.  The  doctor  of  the  camp  is  in  charge, 
but  officers  may  consult  a  doctor  of  their  own  nationality. 
The  final  decision  rests  with  the  camp  doctor. 

16.  All  officers  are  to  be  inspected  once  a  month  by  their 
doctors.  The  senior  doctor  has  to  report  about  this  consul- 
tation to  the  commandant  on  the  first  of  each  month;  special 
direction  will  be  given. 

17.  Every  officer  may  have  two  baths  a  week  in  the  rooms 
provided.  Regulations  for  the  use  of  the  bath-rooms  will 
be  given  by  the  officer  in  charge. 

18.  Every  prisoner  of  war  has  to  give  his  money  and  valu- 
able papers  to  the  commandantur.  This  money  as  well  as 
the  money  out  .of  his  monthly  pay  will  be  credited  to  his 
account.  Any  payments  which  may  become  necessary  will 
be  charged  to  this  account.  Besides  this  every  officer  re- 
ceives weekly  from  his  account  a  certain  amount  in  marks  in 
accordance  with  special  direction  of  the  commandant,  with 
which  he  may  pay  his  special  requirements,  chiefly  in  the 
kitchen  and  canteen. 


278  APPENDICES 

Any  officer  who  overdraws  his  account  is  guilty  of  breach 
of  discipline. 

The  commandant  reserves  to  himself  the  right  to  prohibit 
the  payments  of  any  amounts  of  money,  if  any  one  is  guilty 
of  breach  of  discipline. 

19.  The  prisoner  of  war  may  write  one  letter  or  two  post- 
cards each  week.  Letters  and  cards  are  taken  on  Mondays 
at  roll  call  by  the  underofficers  of  the  barracks  from  the 
hands  of  each  prisoner  separately.  Pencil  only  must  be  used ; 
ink  is  available  only  if  it  is  a  question  of  documents,  settle- 
ment of  urgent  family  or  business  matters  of  legal  import, 
or  of  writing  to  authorities  or  of  writing  of  war  remem- 
brances. Should  it  be  desirable  in  other  cases  to  use  ink 
permission  must  be  got  from  the  commandant.  The  writing 
must  be  done  in  large  and  plain  characters,  and  for  letters 
and  cards  only  the  forms  should  be  used  obtainable  in  the 
canteen. 

The  correspondence  with  districts  occupied  by  the  German 
troops  is  subject  to  special  conditions. 

Incoming  letters  and  parcels  will  be  delivered  daily  at 
hours  to  be  stated. 

Parcels  and  boxes  contained  therein,  especially  the  tin  boxes 
must  be  opened  and  the  contents  laid  open  so  that  it  may  be 
recognized  without  doubt. 

Receipts  of  parcels  and  money  must  be  acknowledged.  All 
money  is  rendered  to  the  cash  office  in  the  camp,  where  the 
amounts  are  credited  to  the  accounts  of  the  prisoners. 

20.  Morning  coffee  is  served  at  8  A.  M.  in  the  rooms  of  the 
officers.  At  12  dinner  begins  to  be  served,  at  6  p.  M.  supper. 
A  single  stroke  of  the  bell  is  the  sign  for  the  receipt  of  the 
meals  from  the  kitchen.  The  lodgers  of  the  barracks  6,  7,  8 
and  those  officers  who  are  destined  especially  by  the  officer  in 
charge  will  dine  in  the  dining-room  of  barrack  No.  5.  The 
question  of  the  seats  is  regulated  by  the  officer  in  charge. 
All  the  other  officers  take  also  their  dinners  and  suppers  in 
their  rooms. 

21.  Except  the  time  reserved  for  the  meals  the  dining-room 
is  open  to  be  used  by  all  officers. 

22.  If  an  officer  wishes  to  buy  an  article  which  is  not  in 
the  catalogue  of  the  canteen  and  which  consequently  may  not 


•     *.  APPENDICES  279 

be  sold,  or  if  an  officer  wants  to  get  his  clothing  repaired 
or  renewed,  he  must  hand  a  demand  to  the  under-officer  of 
his  barrack  who  will  pass  this  demand  to  the  officer  in  charge. 
The  purchase  may  only  be  done  with  the  special  permission 
of  the  officer  in  charge.  If  no  other  persons  are  allowed  by 
the  commandant  to  sell  certain  articles,  i.e.  booksellers,  bar- 
bers, etc.,  the  officers  may  buy  these  articles  directly  in  ac- 
cordance with  the  further  notification  of  the  officer  in  charge. 

Letters  written  badly  or  illegibly  are  refused  by  the  cen- 
sors. 

The  dirty  linen  is  collected  and  returned  cleaned  by  an 
under-officer,  specially  designated  for  the  purpose,  with  the 
assistance  of  an  officer  of  each  room  according  to  special  or- 
ders of  the  officer  in  charge.  The  cleaning  is  done  at  the 
expense  of  the  owner.  The  manner  of  payment  is  regulated 
by  the  officer  in  charge. 

23.  The  prisoners  of  war  act  against  discipline  if  they 
buy  anything  in  the  kitchen  or  in  the  canteen  or  from  other 
persons  admitted  to  sell,  which  is  not  specially  allowed  for 
sale. 

24.  Intercourse  with  civilians  admitted  to  the  camp  except 
for  business  reasons  is  prohibited. 

25.  The  commandant's  express  permission  must  be  obtained 
by  any  officer  who  wishes  to  obtain  other  food  than  that  pro- 
vided officially. 

26.  Every  officer  may  subscribe  to  a  paper  permitted  by 
the  commandant.  The  under-officer  of  the  barrack  will  make 
the  necessary  arrangements. 

27.  When  the  change  of  the  towels  is  ordered  every  one 
has  to  hand  personally  the  old  towels  to  the  under-officer  of 
the  barrack  who  is  collecting  them. 

28.  The  orderlies  in  the  camp  are  supervised  by  one  or  sev- 
eral officers,  who  are  responsible  for  the  cleanliness  of  the  order- 
lies and  examine  the  change  of  their  linen.  The  officers  have 
to  hold  a  daily  roll-call  with  the  orderlies  according  to  special 
instructions  of  the  officer  in  charge,  and  to  examine  in  the 
course  of  a  week  the  cleanliness  and  condition  of  all  cloth- 
ing. If  renewal  or  repairs  should  be  necessary  in  the  clothing 
of  orderlies  a  notification  in  writing  must  be  handed  to  the 
officer  in  charge. 


280  APPENDICES 

29.  Orderlies  neglecting  their  duties  must  be  reported  to  the 
officer  in  charge. 

30.  Notifications  will  be  made  known  to  the  prisoners  of 
war  either  verbally  at  roll  call  or  in  writing  on  the  notice 
boards  near  the  kitchen.  The  officers  are  required  to  ac- 
quaint themselves  with  them  each  day. 

31.  Complaints  may  be  made  verbally  or  in  writing  to  the 
commandant,  the  officer  in  charge  or  the  adjunct. 

32.  Any  infringement  upon  the  foregoing  regulations  will 
be  punished  disciplinarily  by  the  commandant. 


APPENDIX  C 

(Translation) 

REGULATIONS  OF  PRISONER  OP  WAR  CAMP  AT 

SALZWEDEL 

Section  A 
General,  Officer  and  Camp  Duty 

1.  The  prisoners'  camp  is  under  the  command  of  a  com- 
mandant and  is  made  up  of  two  battalions  with  the  usual 
complement  of  officers,  sanitary  officers,  officer-representa- 
tives of  commandant,  non-commissioned  officers,  interpreters 
and  sanitary  personnel.  The  battalions  1  and  2  have  each 
four  companies  numbering  1  to  8. 

2.  The  camp  is  situated  on  the  road  Salzwedel-Gr.  Chuden, 
as  shown  on  camp  plan. 

The  camp  is  spaciously  marked  off  into  two  battalion  dis- 
tricts and  each  of  the  latter  are  divided  into  four  company 
sections.  The  following  come  under  the  jurisdiction  of  Dis- 
trict Battalion  1: 

Sections  of  Companies  1-4, 
Kitchen  1, 

Prisoner  canteen  1  and  2, 
Guard  3  (at  the  rear  of  the  camp)  and  2, 
Bath-houses, 

Garrison  administration  barracks, 
Office  room  barracks, 
Coal  and  utensil  barracks, 
Hospital  and  corps  barracks, 

Half  of  the  ways  used  by  the  guards — of  Guard  3. 

281 


282  APPENDICES 

To  District  Battalion  2  belong: 

Companies  5-8, 
Kitchen  2, 

Guard  1  (main  guard), 
Guard  4  (north  side), 
Prisoner's  canteens  3  and  4, 
Barracks  for  company  held  in  readiness, 
Canteen  for  guardsmen, 

The  other  half  of  the  ways  used  by  the  guards  of  Guard 
3  and  the  entire  district  of  Guard  4. 

It  is  the  duty  of  both  battalions  to  keep  the  buildings, 
roads  and  fences  within  their  respective  districts  in  order 
and  especially  the  latrines.  The  prisoners'  barracks  are  to 
be  numbered  7  to  48.  The  number  must  be  black  arabic  on 
white  background  and  each  barrack  shall  bear  the  same  num- 
ber on  all  four  sides. 

The  entrance  gates  to  the  company  districts  shall  be  num- 
bered similarly  in  Roman  numerals. 

The  office  barracks  of  the  companies  are  to  be  designated 
by  letters  A  to  H. 

The  position  of  all  barracks  may  be  seen  on  accompany- 
ing plan. 

An  officer  will  be  detailed  each  day  for  camp  duty  by  the 
commandant. 

This  service  begins  with  that  of  the  new  guard  at  1  P.  M. 
and  ends  at  the  same  time  on  the  following  day. 

The  officer  detailed  for  duty  reports  at  the  beginning  of 
his  duty,  without  formality,  at  the  office  of  the  commandant. 
He  remains  in  the  camp  during  the  night  also  and  sleeps 
in  the  main  guard  barracks;  as  soon  as  the  officer's  assembly 
room  is  completed,  this  is  for  his  use.  When  leaving  same, 
notice  as  to  where  he  can  be  found  shall  be  left  by  him. 

Other  obligations  of  the  officer  on  duty  in  the  camp  are  as 
follows : 

1.  He  inspects  guard  and  sentinels. 

2a.  He  oversees  and  regulates  assignments  of  detachments 
detailed  to  accompany  prisoners. 

2b.  He  controls  work  hours  of  the  prisoners  and  sees  that 
they  keep  the  prescribed  time. 


APPENDICES  283 

3.  He  is  responsible  for  general  order  in  kitchens,  canteen, 
bath  houses  and  latrines  of  the  companies. 

4.  He  is  responsible  for  keeping  free  the  10-metre  space 
(neutral  zone) ;  vehicles  are  not  allowed  to  stop  there,  nor 
objects  of  any  kind  to  be  deposited. 

5.  He  sees  that  no  misuse  is  made  of  entrance  cards,  and 
that  all  unauthorized  persons  entering  the  camp  through 
either  mistake  of  sentinel  or  his  inattention  to  duty,  are 
located,  and  personality  established. 

6.  He  observes  the  prisoners  with  view  of  determining 
whether  there  is  any  inclination  to  organize  or  to  escape.  In 
case  of  such,  he  reports  to  necessary  measures  (See  Guard 
Regulations),  and  acts  independently  until  the  commandant 
or  latter's  representative  assumes  command. 

7.  He  also  sees  that  the  gates  and  fences  are  in  proper 
order  and  that  there  is  sufficient  illumination  both  within 
and  outside  the  camp. 

8.  He  takes  the  necessary  steps  in  case  of  outbreak  of  fire 
(See  Fire  Regulations). 

9.  He  sees  that  the  roads  inside  and  outside  the  camp  are 
kept  in  good  condition.  The  representative  of  the  officer  on 
camp  duty  is  the  officer  of  the  Head  Guard,  so  far  as  guard 
affairs  are  concerned.  The  officer  on  duty  will  be  assisted 
by  an  officer  from  each  of  the  battalions  who  will  report  for 
duty  at  the  beginning  of  the  guard  duty  for  inner  service 
and  for  a  possible  revision  of  the  guardsmen.  This  officer 
will  be  further  required  to  make  a  daily  inspection  of  the 
prisoners'  workshops. 

10.  He  orders  that  taps  will  be  blown  at  10  o'clock  P.  M. 
following  which  all  lights  in  the  barracks  are  to  be  extin- 
guished. Lights  in  the  quarters  of  the  companies  can  be  put 
out  earlier  if  desired. 

Visit  to  the  prisoner's  camp  is  allowed  only  to  the  person- 
nel, i.e.,  to  the  officers,  sanitary  officers,  acting  officers,  pay- 
masters, N.  C.  0.  men  (and  their  superiors)  of  the  Land- 
strum  Reserve  Battalion  No.  6.  All  other  persons,  officers 
included,  must  have  entrance  card  bearing  name  of  owner, 
official  stamp  and  signature  of  the  commandant.  This  card 
must  be  shown  upon  entering  and  leaving  the  camp  and  at 
such  other  times  as  sentinels  may  see  fit  to  request  that  it  be 


284  APPENDICES 

shown.  Entrance  to  courtyards  of  company  barracks  is  for- 
bidden, except  to  those  authorized  (prisoners,  guard  and 
company  men)  unless  permission  is  obtained  from  the  repre- 
sentative of  General  Headquarters.  The  entrance  cards  must 
bear  the  photograph  of  the  owner. 

Women  are  forbidden  to  enter  the  camp,  except  those  em- 
ployed in  canteen  and  kitchens. 

Persons  found  without  identification  cards  or  false  papers 
will  be  at  once  taken  to  the  guard  house  to  have  personality 
established  (See  Guard  Regulations). 

Visit  to  prisoners  (also  to  those  in  hospital)  is  allowed  only 
on  permission  from  representative  of  General  Headquarters. 
Offense  against  this  regulation  will  be  punished. 

It  is  forbidden  to  photograph  the  camp  or  to  make  sketches. 

Section  B 
Service  Within  the  Camp  and  Occupation  of  Prisoners 

1.  Prisoners  come  under  our  Martial  Law.  This  fact  is  re- 
peatedly brought  to  their  attention  in  presence  of  an  officer 
and  is  also  posted  on  the  walls  of  each  barrack. 

Disciplinary  punishment  is  executed  according  to  our  Dis- 
ciplinary Punishment  Regulations  (Disziplinarstrafordnung, 
Par.  2,  see.  4  and  par.  38). 

Strict  discipline  among  the  prisoners  is  to  be  enforced  by 
using  all  legitimate  means.  Every  infringement  against  or- 
ders and  rules  of  the  camp  shall  be  brought  to  attention  of 
the  authorities  as  soon  as  possible  and  punished  with  severity. 
In  place  of  arrest,  the  offender  will  be  bound  to  some  place 
where  he  will  be  plainly  visible.  Light  offenses  may  be  pun- 
ished by  increasing  a  disagreeable  occupation  and  extension 
of  working  time.  Withdrawal  of  bread  and  tobacco  also 
appears  to  be  a  good  means  of  punishment.  In  addition  to 
these  punishments,  in  the  case  of  English  prisoners,  with- 
drawal of  playing  cards  is  recommended. 

2.  Prisoners,  including  civilians,  are  formed  into  squads 
within  the  companies  and  are  placed  under  command  of  a  cor- 
poral. The  squad  commanders  (prisoner  N.  C.  O.'s)  are 
chosen  from  among  the  prisoners  (N.  C.  0.  and  men)  by  the 
company  commander.     Their  distinguishing  mark  is  a  band 


APPENDICES  285 

of  white  linen  5  em.  wide,  around  the  cap.  It  is  a  part  of 
their  duty  to  maintain  order  and  discipline.  In  each  section 
of  the  barracks  the  senior  prisoner  sergeant  is  placed  on 
duty  for  the  same  purpose;  his  distinguishing  mark  is  a  band 
of  white  linen  10  cm.  wide,  on  the  cap. 

The  superintending  personnel  is  assisted  by  interpreters 
who  bear  a  stripe  of  linen  running  over  the  crown  of  the  cap. 

The  prisoner  non-commissioned  officers  and  sergeants  are 
the  superiors  of  the  prisoners.  The  latter  are  made  fully 
acquainted  with  this  relation  and  the  instruction  is  based  on 
authentic  regulations. 

Further,  there  is  posted  in  each  barrack  a  list  of  the  su- 
periors in  the  language  of  the  prisoners  concerned. 

Prisoners,  including  civilian  prisoners,  must  salute  all  offi- 
cers, substitute  officers  and  non-commissioned  officers. 

When  an  officer  or  substitute  officer  enters  a  barrack  all 
prisoners  have  to  stand  at  attention  by  their  beds,  facing  the 
center  aisle.  Prisoners  detailed  for  work  or  marching  in 
closed  formations  are  not  required  to  salute. 

3.  Prisoners  of  various  nationalities  are  placed  in  the  same 
barracks;  Russians  are  mixed  with  English  and  French,  Turks 
and  Zuaves  are  sent  to  the  Camp  at  Zossen. 

4.  Each  company  contains  1875  prisoners. 

5.  The  prisoners  bear  a  number  on  a  tin  tag  which  is  at- 
tached in  front  of  the  cap;  civilian  prisoners  have  a  linen 
band  firmly  sewed  on  the  upper  arm. 

6.  Regulations  and  rules  within  the  barracks  are  regulated 
by  the  battalions.  These  are  issued  in  the  form  of  barrack 
orders.  A  list  of  all  utensils  used  in  the  barracks  is  posted 
on  the  wall. 

7.  The  battalions  keep  a  correct  list  of  all  prisoners  turned 
over  to  them  from  -which  can  be  determined  at  any  time 
the  total  number  of  prisoners  on  hand,  also  any  increase  or 
decrease,  and  dates. 

8.  The  battalions  must  furnish  a  daily  statement  to  the 
commandant  showing  the  number  of  prisoners  on  preceding 
days. 

The  roll  of  prisoners  will  be  called  at  least  once  daily 
within  each  company,  following  which  instructions  will  be 
given  regarding  camp  regulations,  military  bearing  of  pris- 


286  APPENDICES 

oners,  etc.    Those  prisoners  not  detailed  -for  work  are  to  be 
constantly  employed  at  hard  labor. 

9.  A  part  of  barracks  19  will  be  fitted  up  as  a  tailor  and 
shoe-maker's  workshop. 

10.  Immediately  after  the  arrival  of  new  prisoners,  the 
commandant  will  be  informed  as  to  the  total  number,  nation- 
ality and  regiments  to  which  they  belong.  As  soon  as  prac- 
ticable, list  of  prisoners'  names  will  be  made  out. 

11.  Money  and  valuables  (booty)  as  to  rightful  possession 
of  which  prisoners  cannot  give  satisfactory  evidence,  will  be 
turned  over  to  the  commandant,  likewise  money  of  all  kinds. 

12.  Gold  (foreign  and  German)  will  be  exchanged  for 
paper  money.  Prisoners  will  be  given  receipt  for  all  money 
and  valuables  taken  from  them;  the  receipts  must  show  as 
exactly  as  possible  the  kind  of  money  (gold,  silver,  paper) ; 
day  on  which  transfer  is  made  will  also  be  shown  on  receipt 
in  order  to  establish  rate  of  exchange. 

13.  To  meet  allowed  necessities,  prisoners  will  be  permitted 
from  time  to  time  to  draw  small  amounts  against  their  ac- 
count for  which  they  will  give  receipts. 

14.  Weapons,  ammunition,  dangerous  tools  (knives  and  fire- 
producing  implements),  also  steel  springs  and  nails,  will  be 
taken  from  prisoners  upon  arrival  at  camp. 

15.  All  clothing  which  would  assist  escape  will  be  taken 
from  prisoners  and  receipt  given  for  same.  Prisoners  are 
obliged  to  furnish  statement  in  writing  that  they  have  turned 
over  such  articles. 

16.  Prisoners  and  all  other  persons  are  forbidden  to  smoke 
in  the  barracks. 

17.  Prisoners  are  forbidden  to  leave  barracks  without 
proper  head  covering. 

18.  Particular  attention  shall  be  given  to  regulations  re- 
garding disposition  of  refuse,  rubbish,  food-leavings,  paper, 
etc.,  and  ashes.  The  latter  shall  be  deposited  in  places  es- 
pecially provided  for  the  purpose  within  each  company  dis- 
trict, in  kitchens  and  guard  houses.  It  is  forbidden  to  throw 
objects  and  fluids  out  of  barrack  windows. 

The  battalions  have  to  arrange  with  the  garrison  admin- 
istrative authorities  direct  for  the  timely  removal  of  all  rub- 
bish, refuse,  etc. 


APPENDICES  287 

19.  Cleanliness  and  order  around  water  taps  shall  be  es- 
pecially enforced.  In  cold  weather  waterpipes  and  taps 
shall  be  protected  by  straw  or  excelsior. 

20.  Prisoners  shall  attend  to  their  necessities  of  nature  at 
the  proper  places  and  with  great  cleanliness. 

21.  Communications  between  prisoners  of  different  com- 
panies through  fences,  and  visits  to  neighboring  barracks  are 
forbidden. 

22.  Concerning  washing  and  drying  of  same,  each  barrack 
will  issue  special  rules  according  to  construction  of  barrack. 

23.  Two  non-commissioned  officers  will  be  detailed  each 
day  for  service  in  the  camp  (day  and  night).  For  the  pres- 
ent they  will  sleep  in  the  barracks  of  the  emergency  com- 
pany. Service  of  the  superintending  personnel  will  be  regu- 
lated by  the  battalion. 

24.  Bread  will  be  received  by  a  sergeant  specially  desig- 
nated by  the  battalion,  by  whom  it  will  subsequently  be  dis- 
tributed to  the  companies. 

25.  Coal  and  other  fire  material  will  be  received  by  the 
garrison  administrative  authorities.  Battalions  shall  make 
arrangements  with  former  for  delivery  of  such  material,  which 
will  be  brought  by  the  prisoners  to  company  districts. 
Stoves  will  be  run  by  prisoners  under  supervision  of  the 
company. 

26.  Turning  on  and  off  of  electric  lights  will  be  done  by 
the  companies  with  keys  furnished  them  for  the  purpose.  In 
case  electric  light  apparatus  does  not  function,  petroleum 
safety  lamps  will  immediately  be  placed  on  the  camp  fences. 
The  lamps  are  temporarily  distributed  as  follows: 

In  the  principal  guard  and  guard  No.  3,  each  40  lamps; 
in  guards  Nos.  2  and  4,  each  30;  and  in  the  emergency  com- 
pany, 10  lamps.  The  guard  is  responsible  for  the  distribu- 
tion. All  lights  in  the  barracks  are  to  be  extinguished  at 
10  o'clock  p.  m. 

27.  Cases  of  death  will  be  reported  by  the  battalions  (re- 
spective hospitals)  as  soon  as  possible  to  the  commandant, 
giving  exact  details,  including  full  name,  occupation  or  pro- 
fession, religion,  names  of  parents,  last  residence  in  native 
country,  time  and  cause  of  death. 

28.  Concerning  delivery  of  food,  see  section  C. 


288  APPENDICES 

29.  Post  regulations  will  be  found  in  section  F. 

30.  Instructions  for  keeping  lavatories  clean  will  be  found 
in  section  G. 

31.  Property  of  dead  prisoners  of  war,  also  that  of  uniden- 
tified persons,  will  be  turned  over  by  the  battalion  (respect- 
ively the  hospital)  to  the  commandant  who  will  deposit  it 
for  safe  keeping  with  the  General  War  Treasury. 

Section  C 
Provisions   for  Prisoners'  Kitchens  and   Canteens 

1.  The  feeding  of  prisoners  is  governed  by  regulations  of 
the  War  Office,  respectively  the  representatives  of  the  Gen- 
eral Headquarters  of  the  IV  A.  C. 

2.  The  operation  of  the  kitchens  is  invested  in  a  kitchen 
commission  who  comply  with  local  conditions  and  manage 
the  kitchens  in  accordance  with  regulations  issued  by  the  local 
civilian  authorities. 

3.  Constant  attention  shall  be  given  to  the  proper  number 
of  calories  of  the  food,  also  the  albumen  contents  and  carbo- 
hydrates. 

4.  The  chief  surgeon  of  the  hospital  shall  be  a  member 
of  the  kitchen  commission. 

5.  The  kitchen  contractor  is  forbidden  to  sell  food  to  pris- 
oners or  other  individuals.  The  following  are  exceptions: 
Hospital  patients,  prisoner  priests  and  physicians,  provided 
permission  is  obtained  from  the  commandant. 

6.  A  certain  number  of  prisoners  are  detailed  for  kitchen 
work  peeling  potatoes,  etc.  The  number  detailed  is  about 
1  per  cent,  of  the  number  of  prisoners  for  whom  the  kitchen 
supplies  food.  Order  and  discipline  are  maintained  in  each 
kitchen  by  a  sentinel.     (See  Guard  Regulations). 

7.  Prisoners  take  all  meals  within  their  respective  barracks. 
Food,  coffee,  etc.,  are  taken  from  kitchen  to  barracks  in 
buckets  and  there  distributed  among  prisoners  under  the 
supervision  of  the  barrack  superintending  personnel.  The 
strictest  attention  should  be  given  to  the  proper  serving  of 
meals;  for  instance  that  prisoners  do  not  use  their  wash 
basins  as  eating  plates. 


APPENDICES  289 

8.  Meal  times  are  regulated  by  the  battalions.  For  pris- 
oners who  return  from  work  later,  meals  are  reserved. 

9.  There  are  five  canteens  within  the  camp;  viz.,  1  soldier's 
canteen  for  camp  personnel,  guards,  emergency  company, 
mechanics  working  within  the  camp,  and  4  canteens  for  the 
prisoners. 

Contracts  with  canteen  owners  are  made  by  the  command- 
ant. 

10.  The  supervision  of  prisoner  canteens  Nos.  1  and  2  is 
vested  in  Battalion  No.  1;  that  of  prisoner  canteens  Nos.  3 
and  4,  and  soldiers'  canteen  in  Battalion  No.  2.  For  this 
purpose  each  battalion  has  a  canteen  commission  consisting 
of  a  captain,  1  substitute  officer  and  1  non-commissioned 
officer. 

11.  All  goods  for  sale  in  canteens  shall  bear  prices  plainly 
visible. 

12.  Prisoners'  canteens  are  closed  at  7  o'clock  P.  M. 

Section  D 

Occupation  op  Prisoners  and  Service  op  Accompanying 

Guard 

1.  The  fundamental  principles  are  contained  in  War  Office 
Order  September  22nd,  1914,  No.  471/9.14,  U.  I. 

The  principle  work  of  prisoners  is  confined  within  the 
camp,  constructing  roads  and  ways  and  keeping  camp  in  good 
condition  generally. 

In  detailing  prisoners  for  work,  consideration  is  taken  for 
their  profession  or  calling,  physical  capacity,  strength  and 
condition  of  health.  Prisoners  shall  not  be  compelled  to  do 
work  of  a  criminal,  but  shall  be  employed.  Strict  observance 
of  orders  and  obedience  to  same  will,  however,  be  insisted 
upon. 

2.  For  the  various  places  where  work  is  to  be  performed, 
the  required  number  of  workmen  will  report  to  the  com- 
mandant up  to  10  o'clock  for  work  to  be  assigned  for  the  fol- 
lowing day;  the  workmen  will  then  be  distributed  among  the 
battalions. 

3.  "Working  hours  will  be  adjusted  by  commandant's  order 
according  to  the  time  of  year  and  local  conditions. 


290  APPENDICES 

4.  The  accompanying  guard  will  be  under  orders  of  the 
officer  on  camp  duty,  i.e.,  officer  of  the  guard.  This  guard 
will  be  made  up  of  men  taken  from  the  Reserve  Guard  and 
emergency  company.  The  strength  of  the  accompanying 
guard  will  be  determined  by  the  commandant. 

To  every  20  to  25  men  of  the  guard,  a  non-commissioned 
officer  will  be  detailed.  All  guardsmen  will  be  armed  with 
rifles  (9  cartridges  each)  and  fixed  bayonets.  The  guard 
commander  will  decide  whether  rifles  shall  be  carried  thrown 
over  the  shoulder  or  under  the  arm. 

The  strength  of  the  accompanying  guard  will  generally  be 
10  per  cent,  of  the  number  of  prisoner  workmen.  In  cases 
where  workmen  are  widely  distributed  and  where  terrain  is 
very  uneven,  the  guard  strength  can  be  increased  to  15  per 
cent. 

Workmen  employed  in  closed  rooms  and  within  camp  can 
be  watched  by  a  guard  of  less  than  10  per  cent.  One  guard 
will  be  sufficient  to  watch  four  prisoners  (outside  of  camp, 
two  guards). 

On  the  march  and  during  employment  the  guard  will  be  so 
distributed  that  the  prisoners  will  be  continually  in  sight.  If 
a  prisoner  makes  an  attempt  to  escape,  the  guard  shall  im- 
mediately shoot. 

6.  The  guard  shall  see  that  the  prisoners  work  conscien- 
tiously. Tools  and  utensils  shall  be  locked  up  in  utensil  shed 
after  work.    Keys  to  latter  are  kept  at  head  guard-house. 

7.  A  guard  leader  will  be  detailed  for  each  accompanying 
duty;  he  is  responsible  for  the  watch  over  prisoners. 

8.  Any  intercourse  between  prisoners  and  public  will  not 
be  tolerated.  The  public  are  to  be  kept  away  from  prison- 
ers at  all  times  on  the  march  as  well  as  during  work. 

Prisoners  detailed  for  kitchen  work  will  be  watched  by 
one  guard  to  each  prisoner.  Guards  on  this  duty  will  be 
relieved  every  two  hours.  (See  Regulations.)  When  pris- 
oners are  being  transported  through  a  city  or  town,  the 
guards'  strength  will  be  15  per  cent,  and  shall  be  commanded 
by  a  capable  leader. 

9.  Guardsmen  are  forbidden  to  smoke,  to  sit,  to  converse 
with  prisoners  or  to  enter  into  communication  with  them  of 


APPENDICES  291 

any  nature  whatever.    Neither  shall  they  take  letters  or  per- 
form any  commissions  for  prisoners. 

Their  attitude  towards  the  prisoners  shall  be  such  that  the 
latter  will  not  forget  they  are  prisoners  and  that  the  guards- 
men are  their  superiors.  The  acceptance  of  gifts  by  guards- 
men is  severely  punished. 

Section  E 
Sanitary  Service 

1.  The  entire  sanitary  service  is  under  the  direction  of  the 
chief  surgeon.  The  complete  sanitary  personnel,  both  Ger- 
man and  foreign,  are  subject  to  his  orders. 

2.  The  sanitary  service  is  performed  in  the  sanitary  bar- 
racks according  to  orders  of  the  chief  surgeon.  It  begins  at 
10  o'clock  A.  M.  The  patients  of  each  company  follow  at 
intervals  of  fifteen  minutes.  The  order  of  companies  changes 
daily. 

3.  The  patients  of  each  company  are  conducted  to  and 
from  the  sanitary  barracks  in  closed  squads.  Each  squad  is 
accompanied  by  an  interpreter  and  one  of  their  own  company's 
sanitary  men. 

4.  In  order  to  establish  a  uniform  service  regarding  ac- 
ceptance discharging  and  dieting  of  sick  prisoners,  the  fol- 
lowing features  are  adhered  to: 

a.  After    taking    their    noon    meal,    12:30    o'clock,    the 

patients  are  conducted  to  the  hospital  barracks  where 
they  take  their  evening  meal  at  the  proper  time; 
they  remain  there  until  time  for  noon  meal  next  day. 

b.  Supplying  patients  with  bread  is  a  function  of  the 

various  companies. 

c.  Regulations  concerning  feeding   of  sick  prisoners  in 

hospital  barracks  follow  later. 

5.  According  to  needs  of  the  chief  surgeon,  men  will  be 
detailed  by  the  battalions  from  among  prisoners  to  assist  him 
as  clerks,  etc. 

6.  The  same  regulations  regarding  entrance  to  the  camp 
apply  to  access  to  hospitals. 


292  APPENDICES 

7.  Personnel  for  running  bathing  and  heating  apparatus  in 
hospital  barracks  will  never  consist  of  German  soldiers,  but 
suitable  men  selected  from  prisoners. 

8.  The  chief  surgeon  will  keep  the  commandant  continually 
informed  regarding  health  conditions  in  the  camp. 

9.  A  suitable  non-commissioned  officer  (German)  assisted 
by  two  capable  prisoners  will  be  detailed  to  oversee  bathing 
and  disinfecting. 

10.  Prisoners'  baths  and  disinfecting  of  clothing,  etc.,  will 
take  place  weekly.  The  bath  schedule  will  be  made  known 
each  Saturday  for  the  following  week.  One  battalion  will 
have  the  hours  8  to  12  a.  M.  and  the  other  battalion  the  hours 
1  to  6  P.  M. 

Thirty-six  men  can  bathe  at  one  time.  Duration  of  bath 
is  thirty  minutes.  Accordingly  200  men  can  bathe  in  the 
morning  and  250  in  the  afternoon.  After  one  disinfection 
has  been  made,  these  numbers  can  be  somewhat  increased. 

Smuggling  of  food,  tobacco,  etc.,  to  prisoners  in  hospitals 
is  forbidden;  also  smuggling  out  of  letters  and  cards  of 
prisoners  is  likewise  forbidden.  All  prisoner  sanitary  offi- 
cers, sanitary  personnel,  and  sick  must  give  their  letters  and 
cards  personally  to  the  non-commissioned  officer  of  their  re- 
spective company. 

Section  F 
Postal  Service  eor  Prisoners 

'     1.  Postal   communications  to   and   from  foreign  countries 
will  be  sent  through  neutral  countries,  viz.: 

To  and  from  France,  over   Switzerland. 

To  and  from  England  and  Belgium,  over  Holland. 

To  and  from  Russia,  over  Sweden. 

2.  All  communications  will  be  left  unsealed.  Letters, 
cards,  packages  must  undergo  examination  by  censors,  the 
latter  consisting  of  one  substitute  officer  and  several  inter- 
preters. Communications  ready  to  be  forwarded  will  bear 
stamp  of  censorship. 

3.  To  facilitate  quick  control  and  work  of  censors,  a  uni- 
form card  prescribed  by  the  commandant,  will  be  used  by  the 


APPENDICES  293 

prisoners.  These  cards  can  be  purchased  from  company  non- 
commissioned officers  for  the  price  of  one  pfennig  each  (See 
par.  12). 

4.  Contents  of  post  card  must  be  limited  to  personal  af- 
fairs of  the  writer  (prisoner). 

5.  Postal  money  orders  intended  for  receivers  in  France 
must  be  sent  on  special  form  for  foreign  money  orders,  bear- 
ing address  of  Head  Post  Office,  Bern  (Switzerland)  on 
front  side,  and  address  of  receiver  of  money  on  the  back, 
plainly  written.  Likewise  for  money  orders  intended  for 
England,  respectively  Royal  Head  Post  Office,  Gravenhagen, 
Holland. 

In  place  of  a  postage  stamp,  the  card  should  bear  the 
words:   Prisoners   Communications — Postage  free. 

6.  The  following  will  be  forwarded  free  of  charge: 

A.  To  foreign  countries : — 

1.  Letters  with  exception  of  C.  0.  D.  communication. 

2.  Letters  and  parcels  with  value,  but  not  C.  0.  D. 

3.  Money  orders. 

4.  Postal  packages  up  to  5  kilos.  (11  lbs.)  C.  0.  D. 

B.  To  points  within  Germany: — 

1.  Ordinary  letters  weighing  up  to  50  gr.  including  or- 
dinary postcards. 

All  other  use  of  postal  service  is  subject  to  usual  charges. 

7.  Prisoners  are  not  allowed  the  use  of  telephone  or  tele- 
graph. 

8.  In  order  to  prevent  congestion  in  office  of  censors,  and 
delay  in  delivery,  prisoners  2  letters  and  4  cards  each  month. 
Cards  must  be  plainly  written  and  in  good  sized  handwriting. 

9.  Letters  and  cards  must  be  written  with  lead  pencil  or 
copying  ink-pencil — never  with  pen  or  ink.  Ink,  pens,  and 
all  pointed  objects  which  could  serve  as  pens  must  be 
taken  from  prisoners.  Searches  for  such  objects  must  be 
frequently  made  among  the  prisoners, 

10.  Packages  for  prisoners  of  foreign  origin  will  be  handed 
over  to  the  battalions  by  one  of  the  commandant's  orderlies. 
Packages  will  then  be  opened  by  the  companies  in  presence 
of  owners  and  thoroughly  examined  in  search  of  forbidden 


294  APPENDICES 

objects  (combustibles,  knives,  weapons,  steel  pens,  etc.). 
Any  communications  found  in  packages  will  be  sent  to  the 
commandant,  after  seeing  that  exact  address  of  owner  is  at- 
tached.    Such  letters  will  then  go  to  the  censor. 

Receipts  for  money  orders  will  be  strictly  controlled  and 
stamped  in  office  of  the  commandant  before  being  turned 
over  to  the  battalions. 

11.  Letters,  registered  letters  and  money  orders  arriving 
for  prisoners  will  be  called  for  at  post  office  by  an  orderly 
and  taken  to  censorship  office  for  examination. 

Receipts  for  money  orders  will  be  strictly  controlled  and 
stamped  in  office  of  the  commandant  before  being  turned 
over  to  the  battalions. 

12.  To  facilitate  quick  delivery  to  prisoners,  a  French  and 
Russian  non-commissioned  officer  will  be  assigned  for  duty 
with  each  company.  These  bear  a  designating  mark  on  right 
arm  consisting  of  a  yellow  band.  They  distribute  mail  mat- 
ter under  supervision  of  a  post  office  personnel.  To  fur- 
ther facilitate  quick  delivery,  each  senior  prisoner  in  each 
barrack  has  to  keep  a  correct  alphabetical  list. 

13.  Post  cards  for  the  prisoners  are  collected  by  the  com- 
pany post  non-commissioned  officer  and  turned  over  to  re- 
spective companies  from  where  they  go  to  censorship  office. 

14.  Cards  from  prisoners  will  be  sent  off  ten  days  after 
they  have  been  written. 

15.  Letters  bearing  postage  stamps  will  be  retained  for  re- 
moval of  latter  in  search  for  secret  communications. 

16.  Prisoners  are  continually  advised  to  request  their  rela- 
tives when  writing  to  always  put  company  and  number  on 
all  communications. 

17.  Prisoners  are  strictly  forbidden  to  attempt  to  forward 
letters  through  channels  other  than  those  prescribed. 

18.  Prisoners  shall  use  prescribed  forms  of  letters  and 
postcards. 

19.  Prisoners  shall  be  fully  instructed  concerning  these  reg- 
ulations. 


APPENDICES  295 


Section  G 

Regulations  Concerning  Cleaning  and  Disinfection  of 

Water-closets 

1.  The  latrines  of  the  camp  are  connected  with  the  local 
sewer  system. 

2.  It  is  strictly  forbidden  to  throw  any  hard  substances 
or  articles  of  clothing  into  the  latrine  trenches. 

3.  The  solid  excrements  must  not  be  raked  into  the  canal. 
The  former  will  be  removed  once  daily. 

4.  The  draining  off  of  the  latrine  trenches  is  done  under 
the  supervision  of  a  non-commissioned  officer. 

5.  A  barrel  of  burnt  lime  (protected  against  moisture) 
will  be  placed  near  each  water-closet. 

A  scoop  and  bucket  for  measuring  the  lime  will  also  be 
provided. 

6.  Each  morning  and  evening  a  mixture  of  lime  and  water 
(one  part  lime  and  four  parts  water),  thoroughly  mixed, 
will  be  evenly  spread  over  the  contents  of  the  trench  and 
then,  by  using  a  suitable  wooden  instrument,  mixed  with  the 
excrements. 

7.  The  seats  and  floors  of  the  water-closets  are  also  to  be 
cleaned  at  least  once  daily,  using  the  same  mixture  of  lime 
and  water;  for  this  purpose  a  straw  broom  is  used.  Paper 
and  other  refuse  scattered  about  shall  be  removed. 

8.  As  long  as  the  supply  of  chloride  of  lime,  slacked  lime 
and  creosol  soap  solution  (latter  for  cleaning  seats)  lasts, 
these  may  be  used  for  cleaning  purposes. 

9.  A  good  supply  of  paper  shall  be  provided  in  each  water- 
closet. 

10.  The  garrison  administration  is  responsible  for  carry- 
ing out  of  these  regulations. 

11.  The  work  as  prescribed  in  pars.  6  and  7  will  be  done 
by  prisoners  under  supervision  of  prisoner  sanitary  per- 
sonnel. 


APPENDIX  D 

CAMP    REGULATIONS    OF    THE    CAMP    FOR    PRIS- 
ONERS OF  WAR  AT  DARMSTADT 

1.  Division  op  Prisoners. 

The  prisoners  of  war  are  divided  into  five  battalions  of 
2000  men  each.  Each  battalion  consists  of  four  companies 
of  500  men  each.  The  company  is  divided  into  four  pla- 
toons, and  these  are  divided  into  corporal  squads.  The  com- 
panies are  commanded  by  an  Offiziersstellvertreter  respect- 
ively Vize-Feldwebel.  The  platoons  are  headed  by  French 
adjutants,  the  corporal  squads  by  non-commissioned  officers 
prisoners  of  war. 

From  the  ranks  of  Landstrum-Ersatz-Infanterie-Battalion 
I  three  orderlies  are  to  be  placed  at  the  disposal  of  each 
battalion  chief,  and  one  non-commissioned  officer  at  the  dis- 
posal of  the  captain  of  each  company. 

Non-commissioned  officers  prisoners  of  war  remain  the  su- 
periors of  fellow  prisoners  of  their  nationality. 

2.  Characterisation  of  Civil  Prisoners. 

Civil  prisoners  wear  yellow  bands  on  both  arms  with  the 
/imprint:  "Prisoner  of  war,"  and  wooden  shoes  showing  the 
company  number  and  the  number  of  the  prisoner. 

3.  Military  Salute. 

Regulations  regarding  military  salute  are  displayed  on 
placards  in  all  barracks. 

4.  Division  of  Service. 

6 :00   A.  M.    Reveille,   making   of   beds,   toilet,   cleaning   of 
quarters. 
6 :45  a.  M.  Distribution  of  breakfast,  company  roll  call,  on 

296 


APPENDICES  297 

the  assembly  grounds  under  inspection  of  the  non-commis- 
sioned officer  in  charge  of  the  company  leader.  The  prison- 
ers form  in  line  in  squads,  the  file  leaders  report  the  attend- 
ance of  their  platoons  and  any  possible  absentees.  The  roll 
of  the  prisoners  is  then  read,  and  those  reporting  sick  are 
noted  (Sick  lists).  Prisoners  must  appear  at  roll  call  in 
clean  attire. 

7:30  a.m.  Commencement  of  the  division  of  work  on  the 
assembly  grounds  of  the  3rd  Battalion.  The  camp  officer 
takes  charge  of  the  supervision.  Work  is  assigned  in  shifts 
lasting  from  noon  to  noon.  Application  for  workers  is  to  be 
made  in  writing  or  by  telephone  not  later  than  3  p.  M.  of  the 
day  before,  at  the  camp  officer's  rooms.  The  labour  company 
has  to  inquire  the  number  of  accompanying  guards,  of  the 
camp  officer  before  5  p.  M.  The  latter  makes  application  in 
writing  to  the  prisoner  battalion.  The  men  have  to  assemble 
for  the  division  of  work  on  the  assembly  grounds  of  the  3rd 
Battalion.  The  labourers  are  to  be  lined  up  according  to 
battalions  by  the  non-commissioned  officer  doing  service.  The 
camp  officer  resp.  non-commissioned  officer  forms  the  individ- 
ual groups  of  labourers.  Before  marching  out  the  labour- 
ers are  to  be  examined  as  to  whether  they  wear  civilians  cloth- 
ing underneath  their  uniforms,  and  on  their  return,  as  to 
whether  they  carry  forbidden  articles  on  them.  After  their 
return  the  leaders  report  their  groups  to  the  camp  officer, 
resp.  non-commissioned  officer,  and  lead  them  in  close  file  to 
their  battalion  quarters.  Marching  in  and  out,  the  coal-door 
is  to  be  used.  The  camp-officer  is  required  to  keep  books 
concerning  the  assignment  of  labourers. 

All  tools  are  to  be  deposited  at  the  place  specified. 

Those  prisoners  who  are  not  detailed  for  work  by  the  com- 
mandantur,  are  to  be  provided  with  work  by  the  battalions. 

Morning  work  to  last  until  11.30  A.  M. 

12.00  noon.    Dinner  service. 

1.00  p.  m.  The  prisoners  again  assemble  for  work,  and 
are  detailed  anew  if  necessary. 

6.30  p.  m.    Return  from  work. 

7.00  p.  M.     Supper. 

7.45  p.  m.    Evening  roll-call  and  mustering  by  companies. 

9.00  P.  M.    Bed  time. 


298  APPENDICES 

The  non-commissioned  officers  prisoners  of  war  may 
stay  up  in  their  compartment  and  burn  a  light  until  10.00 
p.  M. 

During  the  day  no  prisoner  of  war  who  has  not  received  a 
card  issued  by  the  doctor  may  lie  on  a  mattress. 

All  the  barracks  are  to  be  kept  closed  after  9.00  p.m.  If 
a  prisoner  desires  to  step  out,  he  must  rap  on  the  door  until 
opened  by  the  sentry.  During  this  time  the  door  is  to  be 
closed  again.  More  than  three  men  may  not  leave  at  the  same 
time.  The  sentry  will  not  permit  scantily  dressed  persons  to 
pass.  The  barracks  are  to  be  aired  out  frequently,  if  possi- 
ble during  the  noon  hour. 

The  cuspidors  in  the  barracks  must  always  be  filled  with 
water  and  are  to  be  emptied  often  into  the  closets.  By  plac- 
ards attention  is  to  be  called  to  the  fact  that  spitting  is  pro- 
hibited in  the  barracks. 

5.  The  Company  Leaders. 

The  company  leaders  have  to  see  to  it  that  the  room  in  the 
barracks  is  used  to  the  best  advantage;  it  should  be  observed 
in  particular  that  the  various  nationalities  be  mixed.  250 
prisoners  are  to  be  quartered  in  each  barrack.  125  in  each 
half  barrack.  The  non-commissioned  officers  are  to  be 
divided  among  both  company  barracks,  as  well  as  the  me- 
chanics. Greatest  order  and  cleanliness  must  be  maintained 
in  the  company  quarters,  and  this,  as  well  as  the  constant 
repairing  of  cloth  and  the  care  of  the  body,  are  the  main 
duty  of  the  company  leader. 

Furthermore,  the  company  leaders  are  responsible  for 
punctual  closing  of  the  barracks. 

Money  taken  from  prisoners  of  war  is  to  be  delivered  to 
the  battalion-commanders. 

The  service  of  the  company  leader  begins  at  6.30  a.  m.  and 
lasts  until  8.00  p.  m.  In  case  of  the  company-leader's  ab- 
sence, the  non-commissioned  officer  is  in  charge.  Concurrent 
absence  of  the  company  leader  and  the  non-commissioned 
officer  between  6.30  a.  m.  and  8.00  p.  M.  is  forbidden.  An 
alphabetical  list  of  the  prisoners  is  to  be  started  and  kept 
in  order  continuously  in  each  company.  The  company  lead- 
ers must  employ  competent  non-commissioned  squad  officers 


APPENDICES  299 

as  assistants  so  that  they  may  use  them  in  file  or  squad- 
leaders. 

From  time  to  time  an  unexpected  examination  of  the  pris- 
oners for  prohibited  articles  should  be  made. 

Great  stress  should  be  laid  upon  the  proper  morning  and 
evening  roll-call,  as  well  as  upon  the  fact  that  at  dusk  all 
existing  water-receptacles  be  filled  and  ready  for  use  in  case 
of  fire. 

The  company  leader  must  at  all  times  carry  his  revolver 
with  him  in  the  prison  camp. 

One  company  leader  to  each  battalion  must  remain  in  the 
prison  camp  at  night. 

6.  The  Battalion  Leaders. 

The  battalion  leader's  first  duty  is  to  supervise  the  com- 
pany leader's  services.  He  has  to  supervise  the  messing,  the 
proper  calling  of  the  roll,  the  inspection  of  the  barracks  and 
kitchens,  as  well  as  the  exact  keeping  of  the  books  of  the 
company.  All  half -barracks  are  to  be  inspected  at  irregular 
times.  A  list  should  be  kept  of  these  inspections  showing  the 
exact  time  at  which  each  one  took  place. 

The  battalion  leaders  are  to  test  the  food  in  their  kitchens 
daily;  in  exceptional  cases  they  can  appoint  a  substitute 
(company  leader)  who  tests  the  morning  and  evening  food. 
The  result  is  to  be  recorded  in  the  kitchen  book. 

The  company  books  and  list  is  to  be  inspected  at  least 
once  a  week  by  the  battalion  leader,  and  marks  of  inspection 
entered.  The  books  are  to  be  turned  in  at  the  commandant's 
office  on  the  last  day  of  each  month,  before  9.00  a.  m. 

The  battalion  leaders  have  charge  of  the  money  taken  from 
the  prisoners,  and  are  personally  responsible  for  the  adminis- 
tration of  these  funds. 

The  battalion  leaders  have  to  see  that  the  prisoners  are  in- 
structed immediately  after  their  arrival  that  they  are  under 
martial  law.  These  instructions  are  to  be  repeated  monthly. 
An  extract  of  the  rules  of  war  in  question  are  to  be  in  the 
barracks. 

7.  Power  to  Inflict  Punishment. 

The  power  to  inflict  penalties  in  the  camp  is  vested  in 
one  of  the  battalion  leaders.     Slight  infringement  of  the  ser- 


300  APPENDICES 

vice  regulations  may  be  punished  by  the  battalion  leaders 
with  rapport,  penal  service  or  the  withholding  of  food.  Rec- 
ords are  kept  of  the  punishments  inflicted. 

Every  prisoner  of  war  detected  by  the  sentry  in  the  com- 
mitting of  an  offence,  is  to  be  reported  to  the  battalion  to 
which  he  belongs. 

8.  Sanitary  Service. 

The  camp-doctor  is  in  charge  of  the  medical  service,  an 
assistant  (unterarst)  is  placed  at  his  disposal. 

The  service  in  the  quarter-barracks  begins  at  9.00  A.  M. 
The  sick  are  to  be  led  forward  in  close  file  according  to  com- 
panies, viz. — Battalions  I,  II,  III  at  9  A.  M.  Battalion  IV 
and  V  are  10.00  A.  M.  Sundays,  the  patients  of  Battalion  IV 
and  V  are  to  be  presented  at  9.00  a.  m.  The  bandages  of 
the  wounded  are  renewed  at  11.00  A.  m.  Entrance  into  the 
quarters  of  the  sick  and  wounded  through  door  2. 

In  the  case  of  sudden  and  alarming  illness,  the  French 
sanitary  attendant  is  to  be  notified  at  once,  who  will  then 
take  further  steps.  If  in  such  cases  a  doctor  should  be  nec- 
essary, the  physician  in  charge  of  the  days  service  on  the 
drilling-grounds  whose  residence  will  be  found  on  the  slate 
at  barracks  70,  is  to  be  called. 

The  enclosure  lying  north  of  the  quarter-barracks  is  for 
the  exclusive  use  of  the  camp-physician. 

9.  Food. 

One  kitchen  is  intended  for  every  two  companies  of  prison- 
ers of  war.  As  the  kitchen  personnel  in  each  kitchen,  one 
non-commissioned  officer,  two  men  (butchers)  are  detailed 
from  the  Landstrum-Freatz-Battalion,  and  if  necessary  6-8 
prisoners.  The  potatoes  are  to  be  peeled  by  the  prisoners. 
The  food  for  the  prisoners  is  distributed  to  them  according 
to  companies. 

The  non-commissioned  officers  in  charge  of  the  kitchen  are 
required  to  make  use  of  the  entire  amount  of  raw  material 
turned  over  to  them  by  the  kitchen  administration,  the  only 
exception  from  this  rule  being  the  fat  of  the  part  nearest 
the  skin.  The  same  may  be  used  cooked  for  the  midday 
meal  of  the  following  day.    Bread  will  be  received  from  the 


APPENDICES  301 

A 
Provision    Station   Darmstadt.     Aside   from  the   daily   bread 
ration  of  500  grams  no  prisoner  may  receive  bread  without 
permission  of  the  Kommandantur. 

The  men  detailed  to  service  in  the  prison  camp  have  to 
receive  bread  from  their  companies. 

10.    Kitchen  Administration. 

The  following  are  transferred  to  the  kitchen  administration 
for  the  prisoners  camp: — 

One  captain  as  chief. 

One  captain  as  controlling  officer 

One  kitchen  bookkeeper. 

Besides  the  camp  physician  is  assigned  to  the  kitchen  ad- 
ministration. The  chief's  duty  is  to  provide  the  necessary 
food  stuffs  in  a  competent  manner  and  in  due  time;  and  on 
each  Tuesday  is  required  to  submit  to  the  Commandant  five 
copies  of  the  menu  for  the  following  week.  Alterations  of 
the  menu  cannot  be  made  afterwards  without  the  consent  of 
the  commandant. 

The  duties  of  the  controlling  officer  are  to  supervise  the 
stocks,  and  to  audit  the  books,  of  the  kitchen. 

Examining  Station 

The  letter  and  parcel  traffic  of  prisoners  of  war  is  subject 
to  the  control  of  the  examining  station.  In  the  unpacking 
of  packages  prisoners  are  to  be  used  as  trustees.  To  re- 
strict the  letter  traffic  the  regulation  has  been  issued  that 
prisoners  may  only  write  two  letters  a  month  and  one  card 
each  week.  The  writing  in  the  letters  must  not  be  too  small, 
and  the  letters  should  not  exceed  four  pages. 

Before  the  mail  is  delivered  to  the  examining  station  the 
company  leaders  are  to  see  that  on  the  designated  days  only 
the  allowed  number  of  letters  is  written  by  each  man  and 
that  the  words  "Kriegage  fangenen-sendung"  and  "Feldpost- 
karte"  or  "Brief"  as  well  as  the  exact  address  of  the  sender 
(name  with  number  of  company  and  battalion)  appear  in 
their  proper  places. 

Letters,  etc.,  may  only  be  written  with  lead  or  indelible 
pencils.    Prisoners  are  forbidden  to  use  ink  and  pen.    From 


302  APPENDICES 

time   to   time   a   careful   search   of   each   prisoner   for   such 
articles  should  be  made. 

The  guards  are  strictly  prohibited  from  supplying  the 
prisoners  of  war  pens,  penholders,  ink  and  sharp  articles 
with  which  one  could  write.  This  order  should  be  brought 
to  the  attention  at  regular  intervals  together  with  the  com- 
mand that  any  request  of  the  prisoners  in  the  above  direction 
is  to  be  reported  immediately. 

The  Commandant  of  the  prison  camp  Darmstadt. 

Kosack, 
General  Major. 


APPENDIX  E 

(Translation) 

FIRE  DRILL  FOR  THE  PRISONERS  OF  WAR 
CAMP  AT  DARMSTADT 

1.  A  fire  company  consisting  of  a  foreman  and  twenty- 
four  men  shall  be  formed  in  every  battalion  of  prisoners  of 
war.  The  duties  of  these  fire  companies  consist  in  ex- 
tinguishing fires  in  the  prison  camp  and  prison  hospital,  as- 
sisting in  emptying  the  burning  buildings  and  aiding  the 
wounded  and  those  of  the  prisoners  who  are  not  able  to 
walk. 

It  is  therefore  recommended  that  the  fire  companies  be 
trained  and  organized  into  two  units,  one  to  act  as  rescuing 
party  and  the  other  to  aid  in  extinguishing  the  flames. 

2.  The  firemen  will  be  chosen  from  among  the  ununiformed 
French  prisoners  of  war  and  as  a  rule  will  be  placed  under 
the  leadership  of  a  French  adjutant,  who  will  also  have  a 
representative. 

3.  There  will  also  be  detailed  from  each  battalion  of 
prisoners  two  non-commissioned  officers  and  twenty  men, 
chosen  as  the  others  from  the  uniformed  French  prisoners; 
these  will  be  detailed  especially  for  a  fire  in  the  hospital  and 
to  assist  in  rescuing  the  sick. 

4.  The  firemen  of  each  battalion,  as  well  as  those  men- 
tioned in  par.  3,  are  to  be  quartered  in  the  same  barrack 
and  this  building  will  be  designated  by  a  proper  inscription 
in  red  lettering. 

5.  Each  battalion  will  receive  the  following: 

a,  One  hydrant  connection. 

b,  Three  lengths  of  fire  hose,  each  12.50  meters. 

c,  A  hose  muzzle. 

d,  Two  hydrant  keys. 

e,  Forty-eight  fire  buckets. 

303 


304  APPENDICES 

f,  Eight  fire  extinguishers   (Perceo). 

g,  One  axe. 

h,  Eighteen  fire  extinguishing  brooms. 

On  all  of  these  articles  the  number  of  the  battalion  is 
painted,  and  with  the  exception  of  the  fire  buckets  and  ex- 
tinguishers, they  are  stored  where  easily  accessible  in  the 
room  of  the  company  leader. 

6.  It  is  the  duty  of  each  battalion  to  keep  their  apparatus 
in  good  condition  especially  the  hydrant,  and  to  take  care 
that  the  latter  does  not  freeze  in  cold  weather. 

7.  The  location  of  the  hydrants  are  designated  by  the  let- 
ter H  painted  in  red  on  the  side  of  the  building,  the  letter 
being  on  a  line  with  the  hydrant.  Should  the  hydrant  be  in 
the  middle  of  the  street,  a  red  H  will  be  painted  on  the 
buildings  on  either  side. 

8.  There  shall  be  two  fire  drills  monthly,  one  during  the 
day  time  and  one  at  night.  These  are  conducted  by  the  bat- 
talion leader,  while  a  general  drill  of  several  battalions  will 
be  ordered  by  the  Commandant  of  the  camp. 

The  rescue  parties  detailed  for  the  hospital  will  also  be 
drilled  in  their  work. 

9.  For  immediate  use  in  case  of  fire,  three  fire  buckets 
filled  with  water  and  a  fire-extinguishing  broom  will  be 
placed  in  accessible  places  in  each  half  barrack  and  for  each 
two  half  barracks  one  fire-extinguisher  will  be  supplied.  Im- 
proper use  of  the  buckets,  brooms  and  other  apparatus  is 
forbidden:  A  notice  in  French  to  this  effect  will  be  posted 
in  each  barrack.  Disobedience  to  this  order  will  entail  pun- 
ishment. 

10.  Should  a  fire  occur  in  a  barrack,  the  French  corporal 
will  at  once  use  the  fire  buckets  and  fire  brooms  and  the 
French  adjutant  will  employ  the  fire  extinguishers.  It  is  the 
duty  of  the  corporals  and  adjutants  of  neighboring  barracks 
to  hasten  to  assist  with  similar  appliances  and  all,  in  the 
interest  of  their  comrades,  to  support  the  fire  marshal. 

11.  The  fire  department  of  a  battalion  will  report  ready 
for 

a,  as  soon  as  they  learn  of  the  outbreak  of  a  fire 

b,  at  the  special  call  of  the  camp  guard. 


APPENDICES  305 

The  firemen  will  assemble  before  the  room  of  the  company 
leader  of  their  battalion  with  the  necessary  apparatus  and 
await  further  commands. 

Upon  a  fire  occurring  within  his  own  section,  the  battalion 
leader  will  assume  charge  without  further  orders  and  will  be 
supported  by  calling  upon  the  adjoining  section. 

12.  Should  a  fire  occur  in  the  hospital,  the  firemen  detailed 
from  the  1st,  2nd,  3rd,  and  4th,  battalions  and  the  rescue 
parties  from  all  five  of  the  battalions  will  report  for  duty. 

They  will  promptly  assemble  in  the  central  street  of  the 
camp  in  their  own  compounds  and  will  be  accompanied  by  a 
detail  of  the  camp  guard  to  the  scene  of  the  fire. 

13.  These  fire  companies  are  under  the  command  of  the 
officer  having  the  duty  of  the  camp  and  in  his  absence  under 
the  officer  present  who  is  the  oldest  in  point  of  service. 
The  rescue  work  at  the  hospital  especially  insofar  as  it  con- 
cerns aiding  the  wounded,  will  be  under  the  direction  of  the 
chief  surgeon  of  the  hospital. 

The  Commandant  of  the  Prisoner  of  "War 
Camp  at  Darmstadt. 

Kosack 
General  Major. 


APPENDIX  F 

(Translation) 

ORDER  OF  THE  FIRE  WATCH 
PRISONERS  OF  WAR  CAMP,  DARMSTADT 

1.  In  case  of  fire  the  guard  will  be  under  the  command  of 
the  officer  on  duty  at  the  camp. 

The  duties  of  the  guard  will  follow  the  details  of  the  regu- 
lations for  which  he  alone  will  be  responsible. 

2.  If  a  fire  is  noticed  by  a  sentry  in  the  prison  camp  or 
in  the  hospital  compound,  he  immediately  announces  it  to 

a.  the  camp  guard 

b.  the  officer  having  the  duty  at  the  camp. 

3.  The  officer  having  the  duty,  or  in  his  absence,  the  oldest 
in  point  of  service,  notifies  the  following  by  telephone: 

a.  the  commandant  of  the  camp 

b.  the  commandant  of  the  exercise  ground  for  the  troops 
stationed  there. 

c.  the  officer  of  the  Landstrum — reserve  battalion 

d.  the  fire  department  of  Darmstadt 

e.  the  fire  department  of  Griesheim 

f.  the  Landstrum  company  lying  in  reserve  in  the  bar- 
racks. 

g.  orally  the  outer  guard  in  the  barracks  at  the  troop 
exercise  grounds  by  a  messenger  from  the  camp  guard. 

4.  So  long  as  it  appears  that  the  fire  will  limit  itself  to 
a  barrack,  especially  in  the  prison  camp,  these  messages  can 
be  held  up  and  it  also  lies  in  the  judgment  of  the  responsible 
officer  whether  the  fire  department  of  Darmstadt  and  Gries- 
heim, or  only  one  of  these,  shall  be  summoned. 

5.  In  the  guard-house  there  shall  be  a  list  which  contains 

306 


APPENDICES  307 

the  telephone  stations   and  the  number  of  the  barracks  in 
which   are : 

a.  the  fire  department 

b.  the  rescue  parties  of  the  several  prisoner  of  war  bat- 
talions, and 

c.  adjoining  the  telephone  will  be  a  list  which  contains 
the  numbers  of  the  three  designated  places. 

6.  If  the  guard  gives  an  alarm  of  fire  in  the  prison  camp, 
he  notifies  the  fire  department  of  each  battalion  of  prisoners 
and  calls  the  guard  to  arms. 

7.  If  it  is  a  fire  at  night,  it  will  be  the  duty  of  the  nearby 
posts  to  immediately  open  the  doors  of  the  barracks  in  which 
the  fire  is,  as  well  as  those  in  a  threatened  position,  and  to 
gather  the  prisoners  in  the  assembling  place  of  the  company. 

The  guard  will  next  dispatch  thirty  men  to  the  scene  of 
the  fire  to  guard  the  prisoners  thus  set  free  and  to  maintain 
order. 

8.  It  is  therefore  understood  that  during  a  fire  at  night 
the  doors  of  the  barracks  in  general  so  long  as  they  remain 
shut  do  not  entail  danger  to  the  lives  of  those  within.  There- 
fore in  a  conflagration  in  the  daytime  the  prisoners  who  are 
outside  should  be  assembled  in  their  living  rooms  to  better 
maintain  order  and  to  lessen  the  service  of  the  watch. 

9.  If  the  guard  gives  an  alarm  of  fire  in  the  hospital  for 
the  prisoners,  he  informs 

a.  The  fire  department 

b.  The  rescue  parties  of  the  fire  prisoner  battalion. 

The  fire  companies  of  the  first  four  battalions  and  the 
rescue  parties  of  all  the  battalions  will  assemble  in  the  center 
street  of  the  camp,  within  their  own  compounds,  and  will  be 
conducted  by  a  guard  of  thirty  men  to  the  scene  of  the  fire. 
The  fire  department  of  the  5th  battalion  remains  in  readi- 
ness in  the  camp. 

10.  In  all  cases,  the  fire  department  will  be  under  the  com- 
mand of  the  officer  who  has  the  camp  duty,  while  the  rescue 
parties,  in  case  of  a  fire  in  the  hospital,  work  under  the 
direction  of  the  chief  surgeon. 

11.  All  measures  in  which  changes  are  necessitated  by  con- 


308  APPENDICES 

ditions  arising  at  a  fire  in  order  to  bring  about  a  closer 
watchfulness  over  the  prisoners  or  to  prevent  danger,  in 
so  far  as  they  are  not  provided  for  in  this  order,  are  left 
to  the  judgment  and  decision  of  the  camp  officer. 

The  Commandant  of  the  Prisoner  of  war  Camp 

at  Darmstadt. 

Kosack. 
General-Major. 


APPENDIX  G 

REGULATIONS  OF  BARRACKS 

1.  Smoking  in  the  building  and  any  fire  except  in  the 
stove  within  the  barracks  are  strictly  forbidden. 

It  is  also  forbidden  to  enter  the  barrack  with  a  cigar, 
cigarettes  or  pipe  in  the  hand  or  the  mouth,  whether  the  cigar, 
etc.,  is  lighted  or  not. 

The  heating  of  the  stoves  will  be  done  by  those  detailed 
for  this  duty,  under  the  direction  of  the  senior  in  the  bar- 
rack. 

Cooking  upon  the  stoves  is  forbidden. 

2.  With  the  exception  of  the  straw  mattresses  and  pillows 
no  straw  is  to  be  permitted  in  the  rooms. 

3.  In  the  morning  the  straw  mattresses  must  be  turned 
up  towards  the  head  and  the  bed-covers  placed  between. 

4.  The  gangways  and  steps  must  be  scrupulously  clean  and 
free  from  obstacles. 

5.  The  wash-tubs  in  the  wash  house  are  to  be  used  only 
for  the  washing  of  clothes. 

6.  Nuisances  must  not  be  committed  throughout  the  camp. 

7.  The  remains  of  food  are  to  be  placed  in  receptacles 
designated  for  this  purpose. 

Wash  water,  etc.,  is  to  be  emptied  into  the  drains  and 
should  not  be  thrown  in  the  streets  or  around  the  buildings. 

8.  From  nine  o'clock  on,  prisoners  of  war  are  only  to  visit 
the  latrines  by  the  nearest  path. 

Prisoners  of  war  who  after  nine  o'clock,  without  any  valid 
excuse  and  without  being  accompanied  by  one  of  the  post 
are  seen  in  a  court,  near  the  fences  or  on  the  roof  or  other 
elevation,  will  be  shot. 

9.  The  lights  outside  of  the  buildings  are  only  to  be  turned 
on  or  off  by  the  guard.     Inside  the  barracks  the  turning  on 

309 


310  APPENDICES 

and  off  of  the  electric  lights  is  to  be  done  at  the  direction 
of  the  senior. 

10.  The  possession  of  matches  or  any  mechanism  for  mak- 
ing fire  is  strictly  forbidden  the  prisoners.  In  the  courts 
without  the  buildings,  smoking  is  permitted  and  there  matches 
are  to  be  had. 

11.  Doors  or  windows  which  are  closed  by  the  guard  are 
not  to  be  opened  by  the  prisoners  of  war. 

12.  The  compound  of  the  guard  is  not  to  be  entered  by  the 
prisoner  of  war. 

13.  Damaging  windows,  doors  and  mess  gear,  as  well  as 
defacing  the  walls  will  be  punished,  and  the  expense  of  re- 
pairing such  damage  will  have  to  be  borne  by  the  men  of  the 
room. 

14.  Mess  gear  and  wash  basins  must  be  clean  and  must  be 
kept  in  their  designated  places. 

15.  From  nine  o'clock  on  absolute  quiet  must  prevail  in 
the  compound.  Every  prisoner  of  war  must  be  in  his 
designated  place. 

16.  All  prisoners  of  war  owe  allegiance  to  the  German 
guard  and  the  privates  among  the  prisoners  to  their  own  non- 
commissioned officers.  Members  of  the  guard  post  and  pa- 
trols are  the  seniors  of  every  prisoner  of  war.  Disobedience 
will  be  punished  according  to  the  German  Laws  of  War  and 
every  prisoner  of  war  will  be  punished  who  in  any  manner 
shouts  at  any  post,  sentry  or  patrol,  and  will  be  immediately 
arrested. 

17.  All  prisoner  of  war  adjutants,  non-commissioned  of- 
ficers and  privates  salute 

1.  All  officers,  including  Feldwebelleutants ; 

2.  All  officer  representatives  (the  senior  officer  of  the 
large  watch,  interpreters,  etc.) 

3.  The  Vizefeldwebel  on  duty  on  his  first  rounds  every 
day  and  all  corporals  and  privates  have  also  to  salute 
always  the  officers  of  the  watch  and  the  remaining 
officers  on  their  first  rounds  each  day. 

18.  Every  sick  prisoner  of  war  must  announce  himself  to 
his  company  leader  in  the  morning,  who  will  immediately 
notify  the  adjustant  on  duty. 


APPENDICES  311 

19.  No  prisoner  of  war  may  have  in  his  possession  more 
than  25  Marks.  Any  sum  in  excess  of  this  amount  must  be 
given  over  at  the  proper  office  for  safe  keeping,  where  an 
account  will  be  kept.  French  money  will  only  be  changed 
by  the  pay  master. 

20.  Infractions  against  these  regulations,  or  any  one  of 
them,  will  entail  severe  punishment  on  all  prisoners  of  war. 


APPENDIX  H 

REGULATIONS  FOR  THE  SICK  AT  THE  HOSPITAL 
FOR  PRISONERS  OF  WAR  AT  DARMSTADT 

I 

Each  patient  must  occupy  only  the  bed  allotted  to  him. 

II 

His  state  of  health  permitting  it,  the  patient  must  make 
his  bed  on  rising  in  the  morning. 

Ill 

Nobody  is  allowed  to  lie  on  the  bed  with  his  clothes  on. 

IV 

Daily  each  patient  has  to  wash  himself,  comb  his  hair  and 
clean  his  teeth  at  a  place  appointed  for  this  purpose;  all 
necessaries  will  be  supplied.  Patients  needing  assistance 
will  receive  it  from  the  attendants. 


Only  patients  being  confined  to  bed  and  being  seriously  ill 
are  allowed  to  use  pots  and  night-stools  during  the  day; 
other  patients  must  go  to  the  lavatory  and  also  empty  their 
pots  at  the  appointed  place  in  the  morning. 

VI 

Cleanliness  of  the  rooms  is  an  absolute  necessity  in  the 
interest  of  patients.  The  walls  of  the  rooms  and  the  utensils 
must  not  be  damaged  or  soiled,  and  it  is  prohibited  to  spit 
on  the  floor. 

312 


APPENDICES  313 

VII 

Patients  are  not  allowed  to  visit  other  rooms  or  the  kitchen 
without  a  special  permit. 

VIII 

As  soon  as  a  medical  officer,  officer  or  superior  official 
enters  the  room,  those  patients  who  are  not  confined  to  bed, 
have  to  stand  at  attention  at  the  foot  of  their  beds. 

IX 

Smoking  is  prohibited. 

X 

Patients  diet  will  be  noted  on  a  board  at  the  head  of  his 
bed.  In  case  of  a  patient  having  to  make  a  complaint  about 
his  diet,  he  has  to  apply  to  the  medical  officer  in  attendance. 

XI 

No  patient  is  allowed  to  let  another  patient  partake  of 
his  meals  or  drinks,  what  is  not  consumed  by  him,  must  be 
handed  to  the  attendants. 

XII 

It  is  strictly  prohibited  to  talk  through  the  windows,  to 
spit  or  to  throw  things  through  them  and  they  must  not  be 
soiled. 

XIII 

Patients  must  be  in  bed  in  winter  time  at  9  P.  M.,  in  sum- 
mer time  at  10  p.  m. 

XIV 

Patients  have  to  behave  themselves  quietly  at  the  hospital. 
Doors  have  to  be  opened  and  closed  gently.  Towards  the 
staff  a  respectful  behaviour  is  required. 

XV 

All  prisoners  of  war  are  under  German  martial  law. 

XVI 

Letters  written  by  prisoners  of  war  are  to  be  handed  by 
them,   open,   to   the   non-commissioned   officer   appointed   fpr 


314  APPENDICES 

that  purpose  by  the  hospital  authorities.     Letters  addressed 
to  prisoners  of  war  will  be  opened  and  handed  to  them. 
Darmstadt,  17th,  September  1914. 

The   Chief  Medical   Officer:    Dr. 

RULES  FOR  THE  SICK  IN  MILITARY  HOSPITALS 

1.  No  patient  can  make  use  of  any  bed  except  the  one 
assigned  to  him. 

2.  On  rising  each  patient  has  to  make  his  bed  should  his 
state  of  health  permit  it. 

3.  No  one  should  lie  on  the  bed  with  his  clothes  on. 

4.  Each  patient  is  obliged  to  wash  himself,  to  comb  his 
hair  and  to  rinse  his  mouth  every  day.  The  place  appointed 
for  this  purpose  will  be  shown  him  and  the  necessary  means 
supplied.  Should  the  patient  be  unable  to  perform  these 
services  for  himself,  he  will  be  assisted  by  the  infirmarian. 

5.  Only  patients  obliged  to  keep  to  bed  and  unable  to  get 
up  are  allowed  to  use  the  bed-urinal  or  the  commode  in  the 
day  time.  All  others  must  go  to  the  W.  C.  With  the  ex- 
ception of  non-commissioned  officers  all  patients  not  seriously 
ill  must  themselves  every  morning  empty  their  night  vessels 
or  bed-urinals  in  the  place  appointed  for  this  purpose. 

6.  As  the  cleanliness  of  the  ward  is  necessary  for  the  wel- 
fare of  the  patients  all  orders  given  for  this  purpose  must 
be  strictly  observed.  It  is  forbidden  to  damage  the  walls  or 
anything  in  the  ward  or  to  write  thereon.  It  is  likewise  for- 
bidden to  spit  on  the  floor  or  to  deposit  filth  on  it. 

7.  No  patient  is  allowed  without  permission  to  enter  an- 
other ward  or  the  kitchen. 

8.  Whenever  an  officer  or  a  military  doctor  enters  the  ward 
all  patients,  except  those  who  are  obliged  to  keep  to  bed, 
should  place  themselves  in  a  standing  position  at  the  lower 
end  of  their  beds. 

9.  The  dietary  for  the  patients  will  be  indicated  on  the 
card  placed  over  the  head  of  the  bed.  If  a  patient  has  any 
objection  or  complaint  to  make  with  regard  to  the  food,  he 
should  apply  to  the  doctor  who  has  charge  of  him. 

10.  No  patient  should  give  his  food  or  drink  to  another 
patient  or  make  any  exchange.    If  there  is  anything  left  it 


APPENDICES  315 

should  be  handed  over  to  the  infirmarian.    It  is  forbidden  to 
receive  any  eatables  from  the  outside. 

11.  It  is  not  allowed  to  speak  from  the  window,  to  spit  or 
to  throw  anything  whatever  through  it.  It  is  also  forbidden 
to  commit  nuisances  either  in  the  yard  or  in  the  garden. 

12.  All  patients  must  be  in  bed  at  the  latest  in  summer 
time  at  10  o'clock  and  in  winter  at  9. 

13.  No  patient  can  leave  the  hospital  without  the  permis- 
sion of  the  head  doctor. 

14.  All  patients  are  bound  to  behave  properly  especially 
to  avoid  making  noise  and  to  open  and  close  doors  gently. 
They  should  be  courteous  and  polite  towards  the  hospital 
officials. 

15.  Smoking  is  forbidden  in  the  rooms  and  in  the  W.  C. 

Limburg,  Lahk. 


APPENDIX  I 

(Translation) 

Armee  Federale  Quartier-general, 

General  Staff.  January  25th,  1916. 

Surgeon  General 

ORGANIZATION  OF  INTERNMENT  OF  THE  SICK 

AND   WOUNDED   PRISONERS    OF   WAR   IN 

SWITZERLAND 

I.    Direction.     (Management) 

1.  The  Surgeon  General  of  the  Army  and  the  Army  Medi- 
cal Service  will  have  charge  of  the  internment;  the  Surgeon 
General  of  the  Army  is  responsible  to  the  "Department 
politique."  A  control  bureau  will  be  organized  in  the  Army 
Medical  Service  for  the  control  of  everything  to  do  with  the 
Interned. 

2.  The  Surgeon  General  will  designate  a  certain  number 
of  districts.  At  the  head  of  each  of  these  districts  the  Sur- 
geon General  will  appoint  a  directing  medical  officer,  who 
will  be  responsible  to  him  for  all  matters  concerning  the  in- 
ternment in  his  district.  The  directing  officers  will  establish 
a  list  of  all  the  interned  in  their  district. 

3.  The  district  medical  officers  will  appoint  for  each  local- 
ity occupied  by  the  interned  a  "chief  de  secteur"  selected 
from  the  interned  under  officers;  he  will  choose  as  far  as 
possible,  the  highest  in  rank,  if  his  health  permits.  If  the 
"secteur"  and  the  district  conflict— are  identical,  etc.,  there 
will  be  no  need  of  appointing  a  "chief  de  secteur." 

4.  The  directing  medical  officers  will  designate  for  each 
establishment  occupied  by  a  group  or  detachment  of  interned 
(hotel  pension,  sanitorium)  a  chief  of  establishment  (an  in- 
terned under  officer,  the  highest  in  rank  whose  health  per- 
mits).    The  chief  of  the  establishment  will  appoint  for  each 

316 


APPENDICES  317 

room  occupied  by  several  interned,  a  chief  or  captain  of  the 
room,  or  for  each  floor  a  captain  of  the  floor. 

5.  The  ranking  interned  officer  of  the  secteur  is  responsible 
for  his  men  ("comarades")  to  the  directing  medical  officer. 

6.  As  an  assistant  for  the  arrangements  with  the  proprie- 
tors of  establishments  (proprietors  of  hotels,  pensions,  san- 
itoria,  etc.)  the  Surgeon  General  of  the  Army  has  appointed 
Captain  Dr.  Schwyzer,  of  the  Sanitary  Corps. 

II.    Medical  Treatment 

7.  The  medical  directors  will  appoint  the  necessary  phy- 
sicians for  the  treatment  of  the  interned,  choosing  by  pref- 
erence the  military  surgeons  living  in  the  place. 

8.  The  medical  treatment  of  the  interned  will  be  established 
on  the  same  principles  as  those  in  use  for  our  own  (Swiss) 
soldiers. 

III.    Administration 

9.  The  Commissary  General  of  the  Army  will  appoint  a 
quartermaster  for  the  central  administration. 

10.  He  will  assign  to  each  directing  medical  officer  an 
accountant  whose  duty  it  will  be  to  administer  the  district. 
The  employe  of  the  bureau  and  other  necessary  orderlies  will 
be  chosen,  as  far  as  possible,  from  amongst  the  interned, 
each  in  his  turn.  If  amongst  the  interned  there  are  none 
to  fill  these  functions  the  directing  medical  officer  will  apply 
to  the  Surgeon  General. 

11.  Special  regulations  will  be  put  in  force  for  administra- 
tion. 

IV.    Lodging  and  Subsistence 

12.  The  distribution  of  lodgings  and  subsistence  should  be 
as  uniform  and  equal  as  possible;  two  classes  will  be  formed; 
(a)  officers,  (b)  under  officers  and  privates.  As  far  as  pos- 
sible, the  under  officers  in  lodgings  and  food  will  be  treated 
the  same  as  the  privates. 

V.    Clothing 

13.  The  interned  will  receive  from  their  respective  Gov- 
ernments uniforms,  including  shirts,  underclothes  and  shoes, 


318  APPENDICES 

(a  pair  of  socks,  a  pair  of  slippers  per  man),  in  addition  to 
which  the  tuberculous  will  have  a  right  to  a  woolen  blanket. 
To  obtain  these  clothes  the  directing  medical  officers  will 
apply  to  the  Surgeon  General  of  the  Army  for  as  much  of 
the  latter  as  has  not  been  supplied. 

14.  The  directing  sanitary  officers  will  take  the  necessary 
measures  to  keep  proper  clothing  supplied,  for  the  laundry 
of  linen,  etc. 

VI.    Pay 

15.  The  pay  will  be  distributed  the  10th,  20th,  and  the 
last  day  of  each  month,  after  an  agreement  has  been  estab- 
lished by  the  country  of  origin  of  the  interned. 

VII.    Discipline 

16.  Concerning  discipline  in  general,  the  regulations  of  the 
Swiss  Army  will  obtain.  Concerning  the  attitude  of  the 
interned  towards  each  other,  and  the  various  ranks,  (honors 
to  be  rendered,  etc.)  the  regulations  of  the  particular  foreign 
service  concerned  will  be  observed. 

17.  The  country  of  origin  of  the  interned  engages  to  re- 
turn to  Switzerland  all  fugitives.  Switzerland  reserves  the 
power  to  use  the  military  force  to  guard  the  interned.  The 
maintenance  of  order  and  tranquility  in  the  districts  occupied 
by  the  interned  is  the  right  of  the  cantonal  authorities. 

18.  For  the  military  discipline,  the  chiefs  of  the  secteurs 
are  responsible  to  the  directing  medical  officers,  the  captains 
of  the  establishments  to  the  chiefs  of  secteurs,  the  captains 
of  the  rooms  and  floors  to  the  captains  of  the  establishments. 

19.  For  the  medical  discipline,  the  attending  physicians  are 
responsible  to  the  directing  medical  officers,  and  the  per- 
sonnel employed  in  treatment  and  the  chiefs  of  the  establish- 
ments to  the  attending  physicians. 

20.  The  disciplinary  measures  to  be  applied  will  be  repri- 
mand, confinement  to  bed,  serious  notice,  and  finally  the  re- 
turn of  the  interned  to  the  country  where  he  was  retained 
as  a  prisoner. 

21.  The  interned  will  not  be  permitted  to  leave  the  secteur 
to  which  they  have  been  assigned  without  the  permission  of 
the  directing  medical  officer. 


APPENDICES  319 

22.  The  directing  medical  officer  will  establish  for  each 
establishment  a  house  rule  and  an  order  of  the  day.  In  this 
relation  they  will  consider  the  mental  and  physical  exercise 
of  the  interned.  (Lectures,  religious  services,  plays,  prom- 
enades, excursions,  etc.)  For  the  spiritual  side  the  clergy 
of  the  neighborhood  should  be  requisitioned;  where  for  any 
reason  this  is  impossible,  I  ought  to  be  advised. 

23.  The  frequentation  of  public  places  before  dinner  is 
expressly  forbidden,  at  other  times  this  may  be  authorized, 
except  up  to  a  certain  point  under  control  of  the  directing 
medical  officer. 

24.  For  damages  and  breakages  which  are  produced  in  the 
establishments,  those  who  are  to  blame  will  be  held  responsi- 
ble to  make  payment  from  their  pay,  or  from  personal  funds 
if  this  does  not  suffice. 

VIII.    Relations  with  Relatives 

25.  Correspondence  between  the  interned  and  their  relatives 
is  authorized. 

26.  The  relatives  of  the  interned  are  authorized  to  reside 
in  their  vicinity;  meanwhile  the  collaboration  of  the  relatives 
in  the  treatment  of  the  gravely  ill,  or  the  care  given  ex- 
clusively to  the  same  will  be  permitted  only  in  exceptional 
cases,  when  these  should  be  in  the  same  establishment  or  in 
its  immediate  vicinity.  The  extra  expenses  will  have  to  be 
borne  by  the  relatives  of  the  interned. 

IX.    Post 

27.  The  interned  will  pay  for  their  correspondence  in 
Switzerland  and  with  their  own  country  (Treaty  of  Rome, 
Art.  II.).  The  chiefs  of  the  secteurs  will  place  at  the  dis- 
posal of  the  local  civil  post  office  the  necessary  postal  as- 
sistants, taking  into  consideration  the  number  of  interned. 
Each  postal  assistant  ought  to  possess  a  card  (Form  post 
of  camp  25a)  which  the  directing  medical  officer  should  pro- 
cure. In  case  the  office  of  postal  assistant  cannot  be  filled 
by  an  interned,  this  should  be  reported  to  the  Surgeon  Gen- 
eral in  the  regulation  way.  The  postal  assistant  will  collect 
and  deliver  the  correspondence  to  the  civil  post  office. 


320  APPENDICES 

28.  As  soon  as  each  interned  arrives  at  the  place  of  in- 
ternment he  will  receive  a  post  office  card  (after  the  formula 
F.  P.  D.  No.  129/130)  which  he  will  forward  to  his  near- 
est relatives  so  that  they  may  be  satisfied  of  his  condition 
and  likewise  have  knowledge  of  the  address  of  the  interned. 

X.    Complaints 

29.  Complaints  should  be  addressed  to  the  captain  of  the 
room,  orally  or  in  writing,  and  by  him  transmitted  higher 
through  the  service  (chef  d'establissement,  chef  de  secteur, 
directing  medical  officer). 

30.  At  each  payment  of  compensation  the  interned  should 
be  asked  if  they  have  any  complaints  to  formulate. 

XI.    Reports 

31.  The  chiefs  of  establishments  the  medical  officers  and 
the  Sanitary  Service  of  the  Army  will  keep  a  list  of  the 
interned.  Instead  of  a  "Controle  des  hommes,"  the  directing 
medical  officers  and  the  Sanitary  Service  of  the  Army  will 
be  able  to  establish  a  list  by  card  index. 

32.  The  registry  of  the  sick,  the  histories  of  the  patients, 
with  temperature  charts,  are  to  be  kept  by  the  attending 
physician.  Eventually  the  medical  history  of  the  patient 
anterior  to  his  internment  in  Switzerland,  together  with 
whatever  the  patient  may  have  in  his  possession,  will  be  sent 
to  me  after  the  attending  physician  has  made  whatever  use 
of  them  may  be  necessary. 

33.  The  listing  of  rooms  and  of  beds  is  left  to  the  directing 
medical  officer. 

34.  Every  evening  at  an  hour  to  be  determined  by  the 
directing  medical  officer,  the  captain  of  the  rooms,  or  of  the 
floors,  will  make  an  inspection  and  report  it  to  the  "chef 
d'establissement."  He  will  make  a  report,  "Rapport  des 
malades,"  will  be  transmitted  the  same  evening  by  a  mes- 
senger or  by  the  mail  to  the  directing  medical  officer.  He 
will  condense  these  reports  and  send  his  completed  report 
to  the  Surgeon  General  of  the  Army. 

35.  In  case  of  special  occurrences  (escapes,  etc.),  the  direct- 


APPENDICES  321 

ing  medical  officer  is  to  be  notified,  either  by  telegraph  or 
telephone. 

36.  In  case  of  grave  illness  or  acute  exacerbations,  and 
in  cases  where  it  is  not  possible  to  carry  out  an  appropriate 
treatment  in  the  same  establishment,  the  interned  will  be 
evacuated  to  a  hospital  where  better  care  and  treatment  can 
be  secured.  The  case  in  question  if  a  fatal  outcome  should 
supervene,  is  to  be  reported  immediately  to  the  attending 
physician. 

37.  The  renewal  of  forms  of  reports  can  be  effected  through 
the  medical  Service  of  the  Army. 

38.  I  reserve  to  myself  alone  the  right  to  change  any  of 
these  rules. 

39.  The  directing  medical  officers  are  responsible  to  me  for 
everything  included  under  the  present  rules  of  organization, 
as  well  as  the  previous  rules  and  the  order  of  the  day  under 
No.  19,  previously  communicated  to  all  the  interned. 

40.  For  any  restrictions  not  included  in  the  present  rules, 
the  regulations  in  Switzerland  covering  the  same  conditions 
will  be  alone  taken  into  consideration. 

The  Surgeon  General  of  the  Army 
Colonel  Hauser. 

For  the  Observance  op  the  Following: 

Department  politique. 
Department  militaire. 
General. 

Chef  d'etat-major  general. 
Sections  de  l'etat-major  de  l'armee. 
Representants  des  pays  d'origins  des  internes. 
Medecin  chef  de  la  Croix  rouge. 
Chef  du  service  des  transports. 
Directeur  militaire  des  chemins  de  fer. 
Chef  d'exploitation  principal  des  C.  F.  F. 
Directeur  de  la  poste  de  campagne. 
Direction  generale  des  postes. 
Chef  du  telegraphe  de  l'armee. 
Governements    cantonaux   interesses. 
Medecin  chef  territorial  pour  lui  et  pour  transmettre  au 
service  territorial. 


APPENDIX  J 

(Translation) 

LIST  OF  DISEASES,  LESIONS  AND  RESULTS  OF 

WOUNDS 

Classified  for  Acceptance  for  Internment  in 
Switzerland 

1.  Tuberculosis  of  the  organs  of  respiration,  even  in  initial 
lesions. 

2.  Tuberculosis  of  other  organs  (skin,  glands,  osseous  sys- 
tem, articulations,  organs  of  digestion,  the  urinary  system, 
and  the  sexual  organs.) 

3.  Chronic  constitutional  diseases,  chronic  blood  diseases 
and  chronic  intoxications  (maleria,  diabetes,  leukaemia,  per- 
nicious anemia,  poisoning  by  chlorine,  carbon  monoxide,  lead, 
mercury,  etc.) 

4.  Chronic  affections  of  the  respiratory  tract  (stenosis, 
marked  emphysema,  chronic  bronchitis,  asthma,  chronic  pleu- 
risy, etc.). 

5.  Chronic  affections  of  the  circulatory  organs  (valvular 
disease  of  the  heart  and  diseases  of  the  heart  muscle  aneurysm, 
pronounced  varices,  arterio-sclerosis,  etc.) 

6.  Chronic  affections  of  the  digestive  tract  necessitating 
a  special  and  long  continued  regime. 

7.  Chronic  affections  of  the  genito-urinary  system  (chronic 
nephritis,  vesical   calculi,   hypertrophy  of  prostate,  etc.) 

8.  Chronic  affections  of  the  central  and  peripheral  nervous 
system  (hysteria,  epilepsy,  Basedow's  disease,  chronic  acia- 
tics,  paralyses,  convulsions  and  other  serious  nervous  states.) 

9.  Chronic  disease  of  the  special  sense  organs  (glaucoma, 
inflammations  of  the  cornea,  of  the  iris,  the  choroid,  etc.; 
chronic  middle  ear  disease,  etc.) 

322 


APPENDICES  323 

10.  Blindness  or  loss  of  an  eye  if  the  remaining  eye  does 
not  possess  normal  vision. 

11.  Deafness  in  both  ears. 

12.  Chronic  and  extensive,  wide  spread  disease  of  skin, 
cutaneous  ulceration,  fistulae,  etc. 

13.  Chronic  articular  rheumatism,  and  gout  with  visible 
deformities. 

14.  Benign  or  malignant  tumors  with  marked  disturbance 
of  function. 

15.  States  of  marked  general  debility  as  a  result  of  age  or 
disease. 

16.  Loss  of  a  member,  in  an  officer  or  under-officer. 

17.  Grave   syphilis   causing   functionary   disturbances. 

18.  Anchylosis  of  important  joints,  pseudo-arthrosis  con- 
tractures of  the  extremities,  muscular  atrophy,  paralysis  re- 
sulting from  wounds  caused  by  fire-arms  and  presumed  to  be 
of  long  duration. 

19.  All  the  conditions  (or  states)  resulting  from  disease 
or  wounds,  not  contained  in  the  above  list,  but  causing  an 
inability  to  do  complete  military  service  for  at  least  a  year. 
(Mutilations  of  the  face  or  the  jaw,  the  result  of  trephin- 
ing.) 

20.  Isolated  cases  which  cannot  be  included  in  any  of  the 
above  groups,  but  which,  according  to  the  opinion  of  the 
Commission  are  of  urgent  need  of  internment  in  Switzerland, 
and  in  which  the  injuries  or  the  disease  present  the  same 
gravity  as  those  in  the  other  categories. 

To  be  excluded  are: 

1.  All  serious  nervous  or  mental  affections  necessitating 
treatment  in  a  special  institution. 

2.  Chronic  alcoholism. 

3.  All  transmissible  diseases  in  the  period  of  their  trans- 
missibility  (infectious  diseases,  gonorrhea,  lues  I  &  II,  trach- 
oma, etc. 

Le  Medecin  de  Farmee  Suisse: 
Colonel   Hauser. 
Berne,  February  16th,  1916. 


APPENDIX  K 

(Translation) 

Swiss  Army  Section  du  Commissariat 

Army  General  Staff 

REGULATIONS 

Concerning  the  Administration  of  the  Internment 

of  the  Prisoners  of  War,  Sick  and 

Wounded,  in  Switzerland. 

Art.  1.    Generalities 

The  administration  of  the  internment  of  prisoners  of  war 
is  regulated  by 

a.  Agreements  entered  into  between  Switzerland  and 
foreign  Governments. 

b.  The  distribution  which  will  be  made  by  the  foreign  Gov- 
ernments for  the  pay  of  officers  under  officers  and  soldiers 
of  the  foreign  Governments. 

c.  The  agreements  made  with  the  hotels,  pensions,  sana- 
toria, etc. 

d.  The  organization  for  internment  in  Switzerland  of  the 
sick  prisoners  of  war  and  wounded  elaborated  by  the  Surgeon 
General,  January  25th,  1916. 

e.  The  regulations  as  follows: 

f.  Inasmuch  as  the  present  regulations  do  not  pi'ovide  for 
modifications  the  regulations  applying  to  the  Swiss  Army 
Service  particularly  the  rules  of  administration  of  1885  and 
the  instructions  for  the  administration  of  the  Swiss  Army 
in  active  service,  October  7th,  1915. 

Art.    2.    General  Inspection 

The  administration  of  the  internment  of  prisoners  of  war  is 

placed  under  the  inspection  of  the  Commissary  of  War  of 

the  Army. 

324 


APPENDICES  325 

Art.    3.    Administrative  Organs 

For  each  region  in  which  the  interned  exist,  the  Commis- 
sary General  of  War  of  the  Army  will  designate  one  or  more 
accountants  (officers  or  under  officers)  assigned  to  the  service 
of  administration,  of  subsistence  and  accounts.  These  ac- 
countants are  placed,  from  the  point  of  view  of  the  ad- 
ministration, under  the  quartermaster  General  at  Berne. 
These  officers  will  be  supplied  with  necessary  funds. 

Art.    4.    Service  of  Control  and  Report 

The  controls  and  reports  will  be  carried  out  as  follows: 

a.  The  control  of  men  (account  books)  and  copies  of  said 
control  as  a  part  of  the  monthly  report. 

b.  The  daily  report  of  the  hotels  to  be  recorded  each  eve- 
ning. 

c.  The  daily  report  of  the  region  reported  by  the  ac- 
countant. 

d.  The  daily  report  of  the  central  Quartermaster  of  the 
internment. 

A  copy  of  this  report  will  be  sent  to  the  Surgeon  General 
of  the  Army. 

The  reports  are  to  be  made  upon  the  forms  ad  hoc. 

Art.    5.    Service  of  Accounts  and  Treasury 

a.  The  central  quartermaster  of  internment  at  Berne  will 
act  as  central  accounting  service  for  the  internment  of  prison- 
ers of  war. 

b.  All  the  accounts  of  internment  of  the  prisoners  of  war 
of  the  districts  should  be  viewed  by  the  sanitary  officers  re- 
spectively and  should  be  accompanied  by  the  individual  ac- 
counts. These  accounts  are  to  be  estimated  for  each  period 
of  payment  up  to  the  10th,  of  the  following  month,  with  a 
complete  general  account,  to  the  central  quartermaster.  The 
latter  will  examine  it  and  transmit  it  within  ten  days  with 
a  recapitulation  summary  to  the  bureau  of  accounts  of  the 
General  Staff  of  the  Army. 

c.  After  an  examination  of  the  said  accounts,  both  as  to 
form  and  contents,  the  Bureau  of  Accounts  of  the  General 
Staff  of  the  Army  will  submit,  at  the  end  of  the  month,  these 


326  APPENDICES 

accounts  to  the  Surgeon  General  of  the  Army  for  vise  of  the 
total  monthly  accounts. 

d.  The  Surgeon  General  of  the  Army  returns  the  monthly 
balances  with  the  individual  accounts  and  vouchers  (controls) 
to  the  Department  politique  federal  who  will  then  transmit 
them  to  the  foreign  embassies  concerned. 

e.  The  embassies  give  a  receipt  within  a  month  from  the  date 
of  delivery,  and  effect  within  the  same  time  the  payment  of 
the  amounts  due  to  the  Treasury  of  the  Federal  States. 

Art.    6.    Advances  and  Payments 

a.  The  Federal  Treasury  at  Berne  will  act  as  a  central 
office  of  payment,  upon  the  basis  of  a  credit  which  is  opened 
there  by  the  Department  politique.  The  embassies  of  the 
foreign  countries  will  make  their  payments  at  this  office  upon 
the  basis  of  the  monthly  balance  of  the  different  regions. 
The  central  quartermaster  communicates  to  the  "Direction  du 
service  de  caisse  et  de  comptabilite  federale"  at  the  same  time 
that  he  reports  his  monthly  balance,  the  payments  made  by 
the  foreign  countries.  The  central  quartermaster  directs  the 
"Direction  du  service  de  caisse  et  de  comtabilite  federale" 
to  make  the  advances  of  the  necessary  funds  to  the  account- 
ants of  the  districts. 

The  Surgeon  General  of  the  Army  vises  the  orders  of  pay- 
ment relative  thereto. 

Art.    7.    Compensation 

a.  Officers,  under  officers  and  soldiers  of  foreign  countries; 
the  amounts  paid  by  the  latter  and  eventual  instructions  from 
such  States  make  the  rule. 

b.  For  the  Swiss  military  service,  the  pay  for  active  service 
will  be  the  rule.  Physicians  who  are  not  of  the  service  and 
not  in  uniform  will  receive  compensation  based  on  actual 
service  and  time  effectually  employed  in  the  treatment  of  the 
patients;  at  the  same  time  they  will  not  be  able  to  carry 
on  their  account  everything  included,  more  than  15  francs 
for  an  entire  day.  It  is  upon  this  basis  that  their  compensa- 
tion for  a  half  or  a  quarter  of  a  day  will  be  estimated.  If 
the  directing  sentry  officers  are  not  occupied  throughout  the 


APPENDICES  327 

entire  day  in  the  care  of  the  patients,  the  compensation 
based  on  their  rank  will  be  regulated  pro  rata  for  the  time 
employed. 

c.  The  sanitary  personnel  (under  officers  and  privates) 
commanded  by  the  Surgeon  General  of  the  Army  in  the  dis- 
tricts for  treatment  and  care  of  the  interned,  sick  in  the 
quarters  of  the  personnel,  civil  or  in  the  hotel,  receives  from 
the  proprietor  of  the  establishment  (hotels,  etc.)  food  and 
quarters  and  the  pay  of  his  rank,  plus  a  supplement  of  pay 
of  1.50  francs  per  day.  The  Army  will  not  bear  any  of  the 
expense  relative  thereto. 

Art.    8.    Payment  of  Pay 

The  payment  of  compensation  will  be  regulated  as  fol- 
lows: 

a.  For  the  military  of  the  foreign  States,  according  to  the 
instructions  which  shall  be  given  by  such  States. 

b.  For  the  Swiss  military  the  10th,  20th,  and  last  day  of 
each  month. 

c.  The  sanitary  superintendents  and  physicians  of  the  es- 
tablishments will  tabulate  for  their  time  and  submit  a  pay- 
roll which  must  be  vised  by  the  sanitary  officer  who  is  in 
charge  of  the  establishment. 

Art.    9.    Subsistence  and  Quarters 

a.  The  interned  are  fed  and  lodged  according  to  contracts 
made  with  hotels,  etc. 

b.  The  Swiss  officers  receive  a  commutation  for  rations 
(fr.  1.20)  and  fr.  1.50  for  lodging.  (For  the  practicing 
physicians  the  commutation  for  lodging  and  subsistence  are 
included  under  the  compensation  granted  them  as  noted  in 
Art.  7,  b.) 

c.  The  Swiss  underofficers  and  soldiers  receive  a  commuta- 
tion of  expenses  for  entire  pension  (food  and  lodging)  up 
to  a  maximum  of  5  francs  per  day.  Under  these  circum- 
stances this  does  not  interfere  with  the  supplement  of  pay. 
Any  excesses  of  this  must  be  supported  by  themselves. 


328  APPENDICES 

Aet.    10.    Accounts  of  Hotels 

The  hotels  return  their  accounts  upon  special  forms,  made 
up  from  the  daily  returns  of  the  hotel,  the  10th,  20th,  and 
last  day  of  each  month. 

These  accounts  will  be  paid  after  the  directing  sanitary 
officer  of  the  place  has  approved  them. 

Art.    11.    Compensation  for  Travel 

a.  The  transportation  of  the  interned  "will  be  charged  to 
their  respective  Governments.  The  officers  and  troops  and 
their  baggage  will  receive  the  reduction  of  the  military  in 
times  of  peace  (one  half  tariff).  In  the  case  of  transporta- 
tion by  special  train,  the  minimum  will  be  5  francs  per 
kilometer.  For  private  trips  for  the  interned,  a  special  card 
of  permission,  etc.,  by  the  directing  sanitary  officer  is  neces- 
sary. 

b.  The  personnel  accompanying  the  sick  prisoners  of  war 
are  subject  to  the  reduction  of  rate  (one  half  ordinary  rate) 
for  the  journey  to  and  from  the  point  of  departure  of  the 
transport.  There  will  be  established  a  "vise  transport  mil- 
itaire"  for  these  transports,  provided  with  the  seal  of  "l'ln- 
ternement  des  prisoniers  de  guerre,"  with  the  indication  of 
the  route  of  the  transport  and  the  date. 

c.  The  Swiss  military  will  travel  by  order  of  transporta- 
tion under  the  general  orders  for  the  "Interest  of  the  State." 
This  order  of  transport  will  be  stamped  with  the  seal  "Inter- 
nement  des  prisoniers  de  guerre  en  Suisse." 

d.  The  practicing  physicians  not  in  uniform,  will  be  reim- 
bursed for  the  expenses  of  transport  (cost  of  tickets)  for 
trips  connected  with  the  internment.  The  tickets  or  dupli- 
cates are  to  be  returned  with  their  accounts,  with  special 
mention  of  the  reasons  and  aim  of  the  trip,  and  for  and 
in  the  interest  of  which  particular  foreign  State  the  trip  was 
made. 

The  accounts  for  the  expenses  of  transportation  by  rail- 
road should  not  figure  in  the  monthly  accounts.  The  ad- 
ministration of  the  C.  F.  F.  will  submit  in  this  relation  a 
separate   account  to  the  central  quartermaster. 

e.  The  foreign  Government  will  make  good  in  the  same  way 


APPENDICES  329 

the  expenses  of  other  disbursements  for  transportation;  for 
example,  carriages  for  the  sick,  automobiles,  etc.,  which  are 
connected  with  the  internment.  The  same  applies  to  dis- 
bursements for  postage,  telegrams  necessary  in  the  corres- 
pondence within  and  outside  of  the  country. 

These  disbursements  will  be  paid  by  the  accountant  of  the 
district,  to  the  debit  account  of  the  "caisse  generale."  The 
papers  relative  thereto  will  be  vised  by  the  Surgeon  General 
of  the  Army. 

Art  12.    Approval  of  the  Foreign  States  for 
Extraordinary  Expense  Occasioned  by 
the  Internment  in  Switzerland 

a.  For  administration  and  under  reserve  of  Art.  11  above 
the  foreign  Government  will  reimburse  the  Swiss  Govern- 
ment 50  centimes  per  day  for  each  man.  For  the  officers 
interned  in  the  places  treating  tuberculosis  the  daily  reim- 
bursement will  be  1  franc.  These  reinbursements  are  to  be 
carried  in  the  daily  balance  sheets  of  the  district  (effective 
each  day)  and  on  a  special  form  for  the  monthly  balances, 
and  ought  to  figure  in  the  bank  receipts  as  extraordinary  ex- 
penses. 

These  disbursements  will  serve  to  pay  the  expenses  of  ad- 
ministration (food,  pay,  lodging,  treatment  of  sick,  medicine 
expenses  of  doctors,  etc.).  If  it  be  determined  upon  the  final 
balancing  that  the  expenses  of  administration  are  not  cov- 
ered by  these  disbursements,  the  State  concerned  will  re- 
imburse the  Swiss  Government  the  deficiency  discovered. 

b.  The  foreign  States  will  reimburse  for  the  expenses  of 
printing  of  material  mentioned  in  Art.  1  d  and  e. 

c.  The  foreign  Governments  will  reimburse  the  Treasury 
(Caisse  d'Etat  federale)  for  the  advances  made  by  it.  As 
a  rule  the  10th,  20th,  and  last  day  of  each  month,  to  which 
is  added  the  interest  calculated  upon  the  official  Swiss  rate 
of  discount. 

As  a  point  of  departure  for  the  calculation  of  interest  the 
discount  rate  for  the  20th  of  each  month  will  be  considered 
the  discount  rate  for  the  monthly  payments. 


330  APPENDICES 

Art.    13.    Cash  Accounts 

The  accountants  will  keep  two  accounts:  known  as: 

a.  The  general  account — under  which  are  included: 

aa.  as  receipts: 

the  advances  of  the  quartermaster: 

bb,  as  expenditures: 

the  hotel  account; 

the  pay  to  the  prisoners  of  war; 

the  expense  of  transportation  of  the  interned; 

the  disbursements  for  tickets,   expenses   of 

transportation,  letters,  etc.,  of  the  Swiss 

military  and  the  attendant  physicians; 

diverse  expenses  and  disbursements. 

b.  The  account  for  extraordinary  expenses: 

aa.  as  receipts: 

the    reimbursement    of    the    foreign    Govern- 
ments 

for  the  administration  of  the  interned 
(Art.  12  a,  b) ; 
the  extraordinary  expenses. 

bb.  as  expenditures: 

the  reimbursenment  of  attending  physicians; 
the  expense  for  drugs,  etc.,    (Art.  12  a,  2nd. 

line) ; 
the  pay  of  the  Swiss  military ; 
the  payment  for  food  and  lodging  of  the  Swiss 

military, 
the  office  expenses 
Incidental  expenses. 

c.  For  all  disbursements  the  greatest  economy  is  to  be  ob- 
served. 

d.  For  the  disbursements  of  all  kinds  of  the  central  quarter- 
master of  the  internment,  he  will  report  periodically  an  ac- 
count to  which  he  will  attach  the  necessary  receipts  and 
vouchers.  These  accounts  should  first  be  approved  by  the 
Surgeon  General  of  the  Army. 


APPENDICES  331 

Art.    14. 

A  copy  of  these  regulations  is  to  be  sent  to  and  receipt  for 
same  acknowledged  by  each  hotel  proprietor,  lodging  keeper, 
as  well  as  the  officers  of  health  directing  such  establishments, 
attending  physicians,  chiefs  of  the  places  and  chiefs  of  the 
sanatoria,  etc. 

Le  commissarie  des  guerres  de  l'armee; 

Obrecht. 
Le  Madecin  de  l'armee: 
Hauser. 
Berne,  February  25th,  1916. 

For  the  observance  of  the  following: 

Department  politique  federal. 

Department   federal   des   finances. 

Department  militaire  suisse. 

General. 

Chef  de  l'Etate-major  de  l'armee. 

Services  de  l'Etat-major  de  l'armee. 

Representants  des  cantons  ou  seront  loges  les  internes. 

Medecin  du  service  territorial  pour  sa  gouverne  et  pour 

la  Direction  du  service  territorial. 
Medecin  en  chef  de  la  croix  rouge. 
Chef  du  service  des  transports. 
Directeur  du  service  des  chemins  de  fer  pour  lui  et  pour 

les  administrations  des  chemins  de  fer  suisses. 
Directeur  de  la  poste  de  campagne  pour  lui  et  pour  les 

administrations  des  postes  suisse. 
Chef  du  telegraphe  de  l'armee. 
Gouvernments  cantonaux  interesses. 


APPENDIX  L 

(Translation) 

ORDERS  FOR  THE  GUARD  OF  THE  PRISON  CAMP 

WORKING  CAMPS 

1.  Purpose  and  Duty  of  the  Guard. 

A.  To  prevent  the  escape  of  prisoners  of  war,  especially 
through  measures  which  will  prevent  the  attempt. 

In  attempts  to  escape  the  guard  can  shoot. 

One  call  to  the  one  escaping  is  sufficient. 

Individual  sentries  may  interfere  when  necessary  to  pre- 
vent escape  and  at  the  same  time  they  should  conduct  them- 
selves with  tact  towards  the  employer  and  his  employees. 

B.  To  prevent  disobedience  of  regulations  by  the  prisoners 
of  war. 

C.  To  prevent  any  intercourse  between  the  prisoners  and 
the  public. 

D.  To  prevent  ill  usage  of  the  prisoner  by  his  employer  or 
his  employees. 

2.  Strength  of  the  Watch. 

non-commissioned  officers. 

corporals. 

soldiers. 

of  the   Landstrum-Ersatz-Battalions 

3.  Special  Duties  of  Those  on  Guard. 

Those  on  guard  are  to  appreciate  the  fact  that  the  military 
authorities  only  desire  to  undertake  the  risk  of  the  prisoners 
placed  at  work  in  private  works  in  order  to  assist  in  domestic 
needs  of  the  employer.  The  guard  by  suitable  measures  can 
carry  out  this  wish.  He  can  contribute  greatly  to  the  accom- 
plishment of  this  end  by  a  tactful  demeanor  towards  the  em- 

332 


APPENDICES  333 

ployer  and  his  employees  and  by  means  of  just  behaviour 
towards  the  prisoner.  A  prisoner  of  war  cannot  be  com- 
pelled to  work  by  corporal  punishment  and  can  only  be  en- 
couraged to  work  when  the  labor  is  made  more  attractive 
than  the  life  in  the  camp. 

Prisoners  of  war  are  not  criminals.  Measures  and  regu- 
lations in  connection  with  prisoners  of  war,  which  exceed  the 
enumerated  articles  in  Section  1  (Purpose  and  Duty  of  the 
Guard)  are  not  indicated.  Refractory  prisoner  workers  as 
understood  by  the  employer,  will  be  sent  back  to  the  prison 
camp  at  his  cost  (vide  par.  II  of  the  Labor  Regulations). 
The  special  rules  for  the  guard  are  in  the  main  as  follows: 

a.  Watching  the  interests  of  the  military  authorities. 

b.  Control  of  the  employer  and  his  employees  in  refer- 
ence to  the  labor  regulations  and  especially  in  reference  to 

Class  of  Work  (Par.  5  of  the  Labor  Regulations) :  namely 
regarding  the  association  in  work  of  the  ordinary  laborers 
and  the  prisoners  of  war. 

Hours  of  Labor:     (Par.  5  of  the  Labor  Regulations.) 

Lodgings  of  the  Prisoners  of  War:  (Par.  7  of  the  Labor 
Regulations.) 

Feeding  of  the  Prisoners  of  War:  (Par.  8  of  the  Lab«r 
Regulations.) 

Register  of  Work:  (Par.  12  B-C  of  the  Labor  Regula- 
tions.) 

Clothing:     (Par.  13  of  the  Labor  Regulations.) 

Management  of  the  Pay:  (Par.  12  A,  of  the  Labor  Regu- 
lations.) 

Keeping  of  a  Guard  Book. 

c.  Supervising  of  small  purchases  for  the  prisoner  of  war 
laborers  in  that  the  weekly  arrangements  will  suffice.  Arti- 
cles to  be  purchased  are,  namely,  clothing,  cleansing  ma- 
terials, handkerchiefs,  etc.  The  purchase  of  tobacco,  cigars 
and  cigarettes  is  until  further  notice  permissible  in  small 
quantities. 

d.  An  identification  slip  of  each  prisoner  of  war  laborer 
is  to  be  compiled  during  the  first  week  of  work.  The  identi- 
fication slip  will  contain  a  careful  description  of  the  pris- 
oner. Each  is  numbered  with  a  number  corresponding  to 
regulation  number  on  the  working  list.    They  will  be  made  in 


334  APPENDICES 

triplicate.  One  is  for  the  commandant  of  the  prison  camp, 
a  second  for  the  police  authorities  of  the  locality,  and  the 
third  is  retained  by  the  guard  for  their  use.  Samples  of 
this  slip  are  to  be  had  from  the  Inspection  Department. 

In  case  of  the  successful  escape  of  a  prisoner  of  war,  the 
number  of  his  identification  slip  is  to  be  immediately  tele- 
graphed or  telephoned  to  the  commandant  and  the  police 
authorities.  The  capture  of  an  individual  should  be  given 
over  to  the  police  authorities  in  order  that  the  guard  may 
prevent  the  rest  of  the  prisoners  from  seizing  this  opportunity 
of  attempting  to  escape. 

e.  Daily  careful  disinfection  of  the  latrines  used  by  the 
prisoners  of  war. 

f.  All  accidents  to  the  prisoners  within  or  without  the  camp 
will  be  treated  similarly  to  those  occurring  to  those  belong- 
ing to  our  army,  and  the  cause  will  be  carefully  determined. 
A  short  professional  opinion  from  the  surgeon  will  be  ap- 
pended in  like  manner  to  the  usual  service  casualty  list  and  the 
commandant  immediately  notified. 

4.  Sentry  Hours. 

Relief  I.  From  the  Reveille  of  the  prisoners  to  the  second 
period  of  rest  after  breakfast. 

Relief  II.  From  the  beginning  of  this  period  to  the  mid- 
day rest  period. 

Relief  III.     From  this  period  to  the  evening  rest  period. 

Relief  IV.  From  this  period  to  taps  (the  prisoners  housed 
in  their  barracks  for  the  night). 

5.  General  Orders. 

Working  with  the  prisoners  is  forbidden  the  watch  and 
sentries. 

Watching  the  prisoners  before,  during  and  after  work  oc- 
cupies the  whole  time  of  the  guard.  The  employer  has  no 
right  to  ask  the  guard  to  work  with  the  prisoners. 

The  guard  should  exhibit  a  firm,  determined  military  atti- 
tude towards  the  prisoners  without  being  overbearing  or  with- 
out reproving  them  by  corporal  punishment. 

Conversation  with  the  prisoners  unless  it  concerns  duties  is 
forbidden. 


APPENDICES  335 

The  guard  is  not  to  allow  the  prisoners  to  leave  his  sight. 

Secretly  supplying  the  prisoners  with  delicacies,  news- 
papers, letters  and  especially  dispensing  alcohol  will  be  pun- 
ished by  a  court  martial  and  implies  imprisonment  and  event- 
ually the  penitentiary. 

The  regulations  of  the  camp  relative  to  the  mail  facilities 
of  prisoners  are  to  be  strenuously  observed.  All  letters  re- 
ceived and  all  outgoing  mail  of  the  prisoners  are  under  the 
control  of  the  mail  censuring  department  of  the  camp. 

Sentries  should  have  their  rifles  loaded  and  bayonets  fixed. 
Immediately  after  being  relieved  they  are  to  report  to  the 
officer  having  charge  of  the  guard,  reporting  all  observations 
concerning  infractions,  of  discipline  as  well  as  all  infringe- 
ments against  the  labor  regulations. 

The  men  relieved  from  guard  are  as  far  as  possible  to 
hold  themselves  in  readiness  in  their  quarters  to  answer  any 
urgent  call. 

If  a  sentry  for  any  urgent  reason  leaves  his  post,  he  should 
be  relieved  by  the  oldest  of  the  guard. 

The  guard  can  retire  to  their  barracks  at  taps   (9  o'clock 

P.M.). 

The  sentries  are  to  assure  themselves  that  the  doors  of  the 
prisoners'  barracks  are  locked  and  that  all  measures  have  been 
taken  to  prevent  the  escape  of  prisoners  during  the  night. 

Independent  measures  in  this  respect  are  necessary  on  the 
part  of  the  sentries. 

General  Comments  for  the  Guard 

1.  The  inspection  department  of  the  prisoners  of  war  camp 
of  the  18th  Army  Corps  has  today  transmitted  the  following 
to  you: 

a.  Descriptive  Lists.  These  are  consecutively  numbered, 
the  number  placed  in  the  upper  righthand  corner  (in  a  black 
square).  Each  descriptive  list  is  made  in  triplicate;  one, 
the  best  copy,  is  sent  to  the  police  authorities  of  the  district, 
the  second  remains  in  the  book  and  a  third  copy  on  thick 
paper  is  sent  to  the  office  of  the  commandant  of  the  camp. 
The  copies  given  to  the  police  authorities  and  to  the  com- 
mandant are  assembled  and  placed  in  a  folder  which  bears 
the  name  of  the  firm  employing  the  prisoners.. 


336  APPENDICES 

It  is  requested  that  these  descriptive  lists  be  carefully 
guarded  as  only  by  means  of  these  can  a  prisoner  with  any 
surety  be  apprehended. 

In  making  out  these  papers  a  sharp  pointed  hard  pencil 
is  to  be  used. 

b.  Guard  Instructions.  Naturally  guard  instructions  in 
general  cannot  anticipate  special  needs  of  the  watch.  In 
general  the  inspection  will  post  one  sentry  at  night  since  it 
would  demand  too  many  men  to  have  the  usual  posts.  It  is 
recommended  that  in  order  to  replace  the  posts  the  police 
authorities  and  the  civil  nightwatchman  of  the  factory  co- 
ordinate to  secure  the  best  measures  to  prevent  the  escape 
of  the  prisoners  without  calling  upon  the  military  authori- 
ties. The  sentries  must  assure  themselves  that  the  windows 
and  doors  of  the  barracks  are  closed  and  all  measures  taken 
to  prevent  the  escape  of  the  prisoners  during  the  night. 

The  guard  must  also  assure  themselves  that  no  prisoner  has 
any  money  and  that  they  have  no  civilian  clothing  in  their 
possession  concealed  under  the  prisoner's  uniform  or  hidden 
in  his  bed.  Intimate  relations  between  the  guard  and  the 
prisoners  as  well  as  between  laborers  and  prisoners  are  to 
be  avoided  from  patriotic  reasons,  since  they  must  invariably 
lead  to  attempts  at  escape. 

Intimate  relations  between  laborers  and  prisoners  have  this 
further  disadvantage  in  that  they  may  lead  to  intrigues  in 
the  traffic  of  mail.  The  guard  should  be  aware  that  through 
the  publication  of  military  conditions  in  Germany  and  exag- 
gerations of  conditions  existing  in  the  prison  camps  great 
injustice  to  the  German  cause  can  be  done  in  our  enemy's 
countries.  The  ordinary  laborers  will  therefore  observe  that 
by  their  attitude  and  in  their  association  they  can  be  of 
use  in  the  management  of  prisoners. 

It  should  be  made  clear  to  the  prisoner  who  is  employed 
in  work  that  in  escaping,  outside  of  the  resulting  punishment 
he  will  never  be  permitted  to  work  on  the  outside  again,  but 
will  be  restricted  to  the  prison  camp. 

In  case  of  attempts  at  escape  or  misbehaviour  he  will  be 
confined  where  he  is  until  he  can  be  confined  in  the  prison 
camp. 

The  Inspection  Department  will  appreciate  it  if  notice  of 


APPENDICES  337 

any  unusual  conditions  is  brought  to  its  attention  by  the 
guard,  either  by  telephone  or  in  writing. 

If  the  prisoners  work  in  civilian  clothes,  they  must  be  sup- 
plied by  the  commandant  of  the  camp  with  a  yellow  arm 
band  which  has  the  words:  "Prisoner  of  War"  printed  on  it. 
These  arm-bands  are  to  be  fastened  to  the  left  sleeve. 

To  avoid  inducements  to  attempt  an  outbreak  by  means  of 
other  opportunities,  the  representative  of  the  General  Com- 
mand of  the  18th  Army  Corps  has  issued  the  following,  Sec- 
tion 5,  Number  31988: 

1.  That  the  rifles  of  the  guard  under  no  circumstances 
shall  be  placed  where  they  are  accessible  to  the  prisoners. 

2.  That  there  shall  be  telephonic  communication  between 
the  camp  guard  and  the  nearest  place  where  troops  are  quar- 
tered. 

3.  That  those  not  standing  guard  must  always  be  pre- 
pared to  quickly  support  the  sentries. 

4.  That  the  messing  of  the  guard  particularly  the  morning 
and  the  evening  meals  shall  be  so  arranged  that  they  will  be 
supplied  to  the  personnel  of  the  watch. 

5.  It  seems  important  to  the  Inspection  that  the  watch  im- 
mediately after  their  arrival  at  the  place  of  work  should  per- 
sonally confer  with  the  police  authorities  in  order  to  facilitate 
the  apprehension  of  those  escaping  and  to  co-operate  in 
measures  to  prevent  escape.  It  is  also  important  for  the 
guard  to  acquaint  themselves  with  the  address  of  the  near- 
est one  who  has  charge  of  the  police  dogs  in  order  to  secure 
his  co-operation. 

c.  List  of  Work.  These  lists  will  be  made  out  under  the 
supervision  of  the  guard  by  a  skilled  operator  of  the  employer. 
The  amount  of  the  compensation  is  left  to  the  discretion  of 
the  guard.  This  amount  is  paid  through  the  guard  and  not 
by  the  employer  in  order  to  assist  the  paymaster  in  his 
accounts  with  the  individual  prisoners.  A  "lazy  fellow"  re- 
ceives nothing;  a  diligent  prisoner  receives  up  to  50  pfen- 
nigs a  day.  This  50  pfg.  is  paid  in  part  in  ready  cash  and 
the  remainder  will  be  paid  on  the  release  of  the  prisoner. 
The  War  Department  has  not  yet  fully  decided  how  much  of 
the  income  derived  from  their  work  will  later  be  paid  to  the 
prisoners. 


338  APPENDICES 

The  Inspection  will  pay  these  prisoner  laborers  with 
checks  instead  of  actual  money;  these  checks  are  similar  to 
accident  insurance  slips  and  are  bound  in  a  check  book. 
These  checks  will  be  paid  only  at  the  pay  office  of  the  camp. 
The  prisoners  will  thus  have  money,  namely  the  checks,  which 
will  not  be  in  actual  cash  and  cannot  be  used  in  an  attempt 
at  flight. 

The  sentries  can  accomplish  their  tasks  if  they  at  all  times 
conduct  themselves  with  tact  towards  the  prisoners  as  well 
as  towards  the  employer  and  perform  their  work  with  a 
strict  sense  of  duty.  They  must  therefore  show  the  best 
example  of  being  punctual,  watchful,  diligent,  just  and  sober. 
In  this  way  can  they  show  a  service  to  the  fatherland  which 
to-day  every  honorable  German  is  prepared  to  show. 

d.  Pay  List.  The  pay  list  will  be  under  the  direction  of 
the  guard.  The  guard  will  prepare  a  daily  list,  Sundays  in- 
cluded, which  includes  the  names  of  all  the  guard.  The 
weekly  pay  of  the  guard  will  be  reckoned  from  this  list  and 
will  be  included  by  the  employer  in  the  total  amounts  at  each 
place  of  work.  The  place  of  work  pays  each  of  the  guard 
in  the  most  convenient  way. 

2.  The  Inspection  desires  that  the  guard  be  changed  as  little 
as  possible,  i.e.,  that  they  will  be  relieved  by  the  Landstrum 
battalion  only  in  urgent  cases.  Only  in  this  way  can  the 
purpose  of  the  work  be  carried  out  as  desired  by  the  em- 
ployer and  the  commandant  of  the  camp.  It  is  a  well  known 
fact  that  guards  of  civil  prisoners  are  never  changed.  Why 
should  not  a  like  principle  be  applied  to  prisoners  of  war? 

If  a  guard  does  not  perform  his  full  duty,  he  must  be 
immediately  relieved. 

3.  In  all  cases  of  doubt  and  in  all  difficulties  arising  the 
guard  shall  employ  the  telephone  to  the  Inspector  Depart- 
ment and  ask  concerning  the  same.  The  telephone  shall  also 
be  employed  when  questions  arise  concerning  a  stubborn  em- 
ployer, a  suspicious  case  of  an  attempt  at  escape,  concerning 
a  lazy  prisoner  or  one  who  is  sick. 

The  Inspection  Department  desires  these  inquiries.     The  tele- 
phone number  is  Frankfurt  A.  M.   Station  "Taunus."   No.  3280. 
By  command  (Signed)     Schenck, 

First  Lieutenant. 


APPENDIX  M 

Report  of  Major  C.  B.  V •,  1st  Cameronians 

(Scottish    Rifles),    Attached    to  the 
Cheshire  Regiment 

I  was  taken  prisoner  on  the  13th  October,  1914,  close  to 
La  Bassee  in  France  by  the  Prussian  Guard  Cavalry.  I  my- 
self, personally,  was  treated  well  by  this  corps,  and  was  given 
food  and  shelter,  but  the  other  officers  and  men  who  were  in 
charge  of  the  same  guard  were  not  treated  so  well,  they  being 
given  no  food  and  being  confined  in  a  church  until  the  morn- 
ing. I  am  sure  that  the  treatment  which  I  received  was  with 
the  hope  of  getting  information  out  of  me.  I  was  bombarded 
with  numberless  inquiries,  especially  with  the  alleged  use  by 
the  British  of  dum-dum  bullets,  and  as  to  the  state  of  the 
British  army. 

On  the  morning  of  the  14th,  I  was  fallen  in  with  four  other 
British  officers  and  about  200  men,  and  was  marched  to  Lens. 
Here  a  halt  was  made,  and  I  pointed  out  that  I  was  wounded 
in  the  leg;  I  could  not  march  any  further.  I  was  then  taken 
on  the  Douay  in  a  motor,  the  remainder  of  the  prisoners  fol- 
lowing by  road  (a  considerable  distance). 

At  Douay  I  was  detained  on  the  square  in  front  of  the 
Hotel  de  Ville  with  a  sentry  over  me,  and  was  subjected  to 
continual  abuse  and  revilement.  On  the  arrival  of  the  other 
prisoners  we  were  all  confined  in  a  large  shed  for  the  night. 
No  food,  except  a  little  provided  by  the  French  Red  Cross 
Society,  was  given,  also  no  straw,  and  we  spent  a  terrible 
night  there,  men  being  obliged  to  walk  about  all  night  to  keep 
warm  as  their  greatcoats  had  been  taken  from  them. 

On  the  17th,  October,  in  the  morning,  the  French  Red 
Cross  people  gave  us  what  they  could  in  food,  and  did  their 
very   best,   in   spite   of  opposition   from   the   Germans.    At 

339 


340  APPENDICES 

about  2  p.  M.  on  the  same  day  we  were  all  marched  off  to  the 
railway  station,  being  reviled  at  and  cursed  all  the  way  by 
German  officers  as  well  as  by  German  soldiers.  One  of  our 
officers  was  spat  on  by  a  German  officer. 

At  the  station  we  were  driven  into  closed-in  wagons,  from 
which  horses  had  just  been  removed,  fifty-two  men  being 
crowded  into  the  one  in  which  the  other  four  officers  and 
myself  were.  So  tight  were  we  packed,  that  there  was  only 
room  enough  for  some  of  us  to  sit  down  on  the  floor.  This 
floor  was  covered  fully  three  inches  deep  in  fresh  manure,  and 
the  stench  of  horse  urine  was  almost  asphyxiating.  We  were 
boxed  up  in  this  foul  wagon,  with  practically  no  ventilation 
for  thirty  hours,  with  no  food,  and  no  opportunity  of  attend- 
ing to  purposes  of  nature.  All  along  the  line  we  were  cursed 
by  officers  and  soldiers  alike  at  the  various  stations,  and  at 
Mons  Bergen  I  was  pulled  out  in  front  of  the  wagon  by  the 
order  of  the  officer  in  charge  of  the  station,  and,  after  curs- 
ing me  in  filthy  language  for  some  ten  minutes,  he  ordered 
one  of  his  soldiers  to  kick  me  back  into  the  wagon,  which  he 
did,  sending  me  sprawling  into  the  filthy  mess  at  the  bottom 
of  the  wagon.  I  should  like  to  mention  here  that  I  am  thor- 
oughly conversant  with  German,  and  understood  everything 
that  was  said.  Only  at  one  station  on  the  road  was  any  at- 
tempt made  on  the  part  of  German  officers  to  interfere,  and 
stop  their  men  from  cursing  us.  This  officer  appeared  to  be 
sorry  for  the  sad  plight  which  we  were  in.  I  should  also 
like  to  mention  that  two  men  of  the  German  Guard  also  ap- 
peared to  be  sympathetic  and  sorry  for  us;  but  they  were 
able  to  do  little  or  nothing  to  protect  us. 

Up  to  this  time  I  had  managed  to  retain  my  overcoat, 
but  it  was  now  forcibly  taken  from  me  by  an  officer  at  a  few 
stations  further  on. 

On  reaching  the  German-Belgian  frontier,  the  French  pris- 
oners were  given  some  potato  soup.  The  people  in  charge  of 
it  told  us  that  none  of  it  was  for  us,  but  that  if  any  was 
left  over  after  the  French  had  been  fed  we  should  get  what 
remained.  This  is  in  accordance  with  the  general  treatment 
of  British  prisoners  by  the  Germans,  who  always  endeavour  to 
attend  to  our  necessities  last,  and  to  put  us  to  as  much  in- 
convenience and  ill-treatment  as  possible.    We  subsequently 


APPENDICES  341 

got  a  little  soup  and  a  few  slices  of  bread  amongst  twenty- 
five  British  prisoners  in  the  same  wagon  with  me. 

On  the  18th,  October,  early,  we  arrived  at  Cologne,  and  the 
four  officers  and  myself  were  removed  from  the  wagon,  and, 
after  some  delay,  sent  on  to  Crefeld. 

I  said  that  fifty-two  prisoners  were  in  the  wagon  with  me 
when  we  left  Douay.  These  were:  (here  follow  the  names  of 
four  officers),  myself,  fifteen  English  soldiers  and  32  French 
civilians  of  all  grades  of  society.  It  is  difficult  to  indicate 
or  give  a  proper  idea  of  the  indescribably  wretched  condition 
which  we  were  in  after  being  starved  and  confined  in  the 
manner  stated  for  three  days  and  three  nights.  As  is  well 
known,  one  of  these  wagons  is  considered  to  be  able  to  ac- 
commodate six  horses  or  forty  men,  and  this  only  with  the 
doors  open  so  as  to  admit  of  ventilation.  What  with  the 
filth  of  the  interior,  the  number  of  people  confined  in  it, 
and  the  absence  of  ventilation,  it  seemed  to  recall  something 
of  what  one  had  read  of  the  Black  Hole  of  Calcutta.  To  give 
an  idea  of  the  state  of  mind  to  which  we  have  been  reduced, 
I  got  one  of  the  better-class  French  prisoners  to  secrete  a 
letter  to  my  wife  in  the  hope  that  he  might  be  able  to  get  it 
out  to  her  when  he  reached  his  destination,  as  these  French 
civilian  prisoners  were  being  treated  better  than  ourselves. 
They  all  expressed  great  pity  for  the  way  in  which  we  were 
being  treated. 

I  found  out  that  the  wagon  in  front  of  us  was  full  up  with 
English  soldiers.  This  particular  wagon  had  no  ventilation 
slit  of  any  sort  or  description,  and  men  were  crowded  into 
this  even  worse  than  they  were  in  the  wagon  in  which  I  was. 
They  banged  away  continually  on  the  wooden  sides  of  the 
van,  and  finally,  as  I  supposed  the  Germans  thought  that 
they  might  be  suffocated,  a  carpenter  was  got,  who  cut  a 
small  round  hole  in  one  of  the  sides. 

I  am  strongly  of  opinion  myself  that  this  brutal  treatment 
of  British  officers  and  men  on  their  way  to  a  place  of  intern- 
ment is  deliberately  arranged  for  by  superior  authority  with 
the  object  of  making  us  as  miserable  and  despicable  objects 
as  possible.  The  French  officers  were  treated  quite  differ- 
ently. 
1     On  arrival  at  Crefeld  our  treatment  improved.    We  (that 


342  APPENDICES 

is,  the  five  officers)  were  placed  in  a  barrack  room  -which  was 
intended  to  accommodate  six  people.  We  found  there  were 
already  in  the  building  ten  other  British  officers. 

The  following  is  a  short  statement  of  how  the  imprisoned 
officers  were  treated  at  Crefeld,  and  it  will  be  seen  that  there 
was  not  so  much  to  complain  of  here. 

Our  daily  routine  was  generally  as  follows: 

8  A.  M.     Roll  call. 

8.15  A.  M.  Breakfast,  which  was  served  in  two  detach- 
ments as  the  feeding  arrangements  only  admitted  of  half  the 
officers  taking  meals  at  one  time.  Breakfast  consisted  of 
poor  coffee  with  milk,  bread  and  margarine. 

11.45  a.  M.  and  1.15  p.  m.  Dinner.  This  was  also  served 
in  two  detachments.  It  consisted  of  very  poor  soup,  being 
the  water  in  which  our  meat  was  cooked;  meat  generally 
pork,  with  potatoes  and  sauerkraut,  but  once  a  week  we  had 
beef  and  very  occasionally  mutton;  vegetables  have  also  been 
supplied  latterly  after  continued  complaint. 

6.45  and  8  p.  m.  The  evening  meal  took  place,  and  con- 
sisted, as  a  rule,  of  slices  of  sausages  with  bread  and  margar- 
ine, and  coffee. 

9.30  p.  M.  Evening  roll  call,  after  which  we  had  to  go  to 
our  rooms. 

10.45  p.  M.     Lights  were  ordered  to  be  put  out. 

As  regards  recreation,  we  were  allowed  to  make  use  of  the 
gravel  quadrangle  inside  the  barracks,  and  we  were  also  able 
to  secure  a  foot  ball.  By  walking  round  and  round  the 
quadrangle  we  were  able  to  keep  ourselves  reasonably  fit. 
The  quadrangle  was  some  70-80  yards  long  and  60  yards 
wide,  and  surrounded  by  buildings  three  or  four  stories  high 
on  two  sides.     On  one  of  its  sides  was  the  stabling. 

No  recreation  rooms  were  provided,  but  we  were  allowed 
to  use  the  dining-hall  after  meals  had  been  cleared  away. 

For  servants,  we  had  French,  Russian  and  British  impris- 
oned soldiers,  one  orderly  to  every  fifteen  officers  for  the 
purpose  of  keeping  the  rooms  clean.  Most  of  the  rooms  in 
which  we  were  housed  were  capable  of  accommodating  six 
soldiers.  In  most  cases  seven  or  eight  officers  were  put  into 
them.     Officers  had  to  make  their  own  beds  and  brush  their 


APPENDICES  343 

own  boots  in  nearly  all  cases.  The  beds  we  slept  on  were  as 
provided  for  the  German  soldiers,  and  were  very  hard  and 
uncomfortable,  and  I  found  it  difficult  to  get  any  real  rest 
on  them. 

A  canteen  was  provided  at  the  barracks,  at  which  we  were 
able  to  purchase  foodstuffs  and  necessary  clothing,  which  was 
run  by  the  Germans.  We  could  also  obtain  mineral  waters. 
No  alcoholic  drinks  of  any  sort  or  beer  were  permitted. 

As  regards  pay,  a  subaltern  received  60  M.,  an  officer  senior 
to  this  rank  100  M.  per  month.  As  2  M.  per  diem  were 
charged  for  the  food  supplied,  it  will  be  seen  that  subalterns 
never  actually  handled  any  of  this  pay.  We  were  permitted 
to  receive  money  from  England,  but  were  not  allowed  to  have 
in  our  possession  more  that  100  M.  at  a  time. 

With  respect  to  religious  matters,  a  Lutheran  parson  came 
to  visit  us  and  asked  to  hold  services,  and  did  so  for  one  or 
two  Sundays;  but  he  made  so  many  unpleasant  remarks  about 

the   late   King  and  the   British  that  decided   that   we 

should  hold  our  own  services.  I  heard  that  the  Roman  Cath- 
olic priest  who  came  to  visit  also  was  a  man  of  quite  a  differ- 
ent stamp. 

I  would  especially  call  attention  to  the  barbarous  way  in 
which  British  soldiers  are  being  treated  in  the  various  laagers 
by  the  Germans.  The  information  given  below  has  been  ob- 
tained from  the  British  orderlies  who  came  to  Crefeld  as  ser- 
vants, and  also  from  English  and  French  medical  officers 
who  had  been  in  the  camps,  which  in  many  cases  were  com- 
posed of  tents.  The  men  all  had  their  greatcoats — and  in 
many  cases  their  tunics  as  well — and  their  money  taken  away 
from  them,  and  are  in  great  need  of  clothing,  and  particu- 
larly underclothing.  It  appears  that  the  Germans  supplied 
them  with  wooden  clogs  when  boots  were  worn  out.  The 
men  state  that  they  slept  on  straw,  which  had  not  been 
changed  for  months,  and  was  quite  sodden  and  rotten.  All 
the  men  who  came  as  orderlies  were  crawling  in  rermin  and 
half  of  them  were  suffering  from  the  itch.  The  medical  offi- 
cer had  to  isolate  these  men  before  they  could  be  employed 
as  servants.  I  was  also  informed  by  them  that  the  feeding 
arrangements  for  the  British  soldier  were  very  bad  indeed, 


344  APPENDICES 

and  as  the  men  had  no  money  to  supplement  their  rations 
they  were  in  a  half  starved  condition,  which  their  appear- 
ance corroborated. 

I  should  like  to  mention  that  I  sent  a  letter  to  the  For- 
eign Office  secretly,  some  three  weeks  ago,  about  the  way  in 
which  the  men  were  treated,  giving  the  name  of  a  witness 
who  is  now  in  France.  I  hear  that  this  letter  reached  its 
destination.  In  my  opinion  I  think  something  should  be 
urgently  done  to  try  to  ameliorate  the  lot  of  the  British 
soldier  who  is  a  prisoner  in  Germany. 

It  is  also  a  fact  that  the  British  soldiers  are  used  solely 
for  all  menial  duties  and  dirty  work  connected  with  the 
camps,  such  as  cleaning  out  latrines  and  such-like;  also  every 
other  unpleasant  fatigue  duty.  In  connection  with  this  the 
French  orderlies  at  Crefeld  stated  to  me  that  they  were  very 
sorry  indeed  to  see  the  British  soldier  treated  in  such  an 
ignoble  and  disgraceful  manner,  being,  in  fact,  more  like 
slaves,  the  idea  being  to  create  ill-feeling  between  the  French 
and  British  soldiers  by  this  means. 

I  also  wish  to  state  that who  arrived  at  Crefeld  about 

December,  told  me  that  all  the  Irishmen  at  his  camp  (I  think, 

but  am  not  sure,  that  it  was  )   were  collected  together 

shortly  before  he  left,  and  were  harangued  by  the  commandant 
who  stated  that  the  Emperor  was  aware  of  the  downtrodden 
state  of  Ireland,  and  now  wished  that  the  Irishmen  should 
be  placed  in  a  separate  camp,  where  they  would  be  better 
fed  and  treated  differently  from  the  Englishmen.  He  further 
stated  that  subsequently  they  went  in  a  body  to  the  com- 
mandant, and  said  they  did  not  wish  to  have  any  different 
treatment  from  their  compatriots. 

C.  B.  V. 

December  24th,  1914. 


NOTE 


ON  ACCOUNT  of  the  absence  of  the 
author  in  Russia  for  an  undetermined 
period,  and  the  lack  of  his  personal  attention 
to  the  proofreading,  many  errors  have  crept  in- 
to the  text.  This  was  also  in  part  due  to  the 
publication  being  under  stress.  The  paragraph 
on  the  middle  of  page  128,  concerning  officers, 
is  out  of  place  and  belongs  atthe  end  of  the  chapter. 

The  following  substitutions  and  corrections  in 
the  proof  should  have  been  made: 


P.  55,  Line  26, 

P.  95,  Line  15, 

P.  100,  Line  17, 

P.  106,  Line  26, 

P.  109,  Line  31, 

P.  119,  Line  15, 

P.  129,  Line  27, 

P.  130,  Line  23, 

P.  163,  Line  8, 

P.  166,  Line  24, 

P.  204,  Line  15, 

P.  212,  Line  18, 

P.  261,  Line  15, 

P.  267,  Line  26, 


"Metres"  for  "feet". 

Omit  "colonel". 

"Cited"  for  "sited". 

"Cottbus"  for  "Cottbas". 

Insert  "from"  at  beginning  of  line. 

"Blinding"  for  "binding". 

"Would"  for  "will". 

"Maxim"  for  "Maximum". 

Paragraph   heading,    ' '  Industrial '  * 
for  "Industrious". 

Substitute  "per  cent"  for  "cents". 

"Ingolstadt"    for    "  Ingaldstadt" . 

"Pfennigs"  for  "francs". 

"D'oex"  for  "D'oux". 

"Burg-Frieden"    for  "Burger- 
Frieden" 


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